Parkside Railway

A final steam

22nd of June 2002

It was only while writing this site that I realised that the Last steam was 31 years almost to the day since the railway official opening.  Now that is what I call spookie!

A final steam was aranged to say goodby.  The sale of parkside had been finalised and the railway would stay, the new owners stating that they wanted to use it.

The surviving members of old team now scattered throughout the UK were contacted.  Only Don (now in Linconshire) and Paul (Still in Essex) were able to attend.  Peter although is no longer with us he was represented by both his engine (an LNER B12  4-6-0) and his sister and her husband.

The day of the 22nd dawned bright and sunny

The first engine to be steamed was Dolly Stephens.  She is a 4 cylinder Atlantic of a freelance design.  A really powerfull engine.

The second as you can see from photo in the group is Peters B12 seen here being driven by his sister.   I know very little about this enging except it is a work of art!  really highly detailed and such a good runner the exaust beat sounds so quiet. a real dream to drive.

Tony, on request brought his 08 shunter something for the kids to have a bit of fun with.  I say an O8 but as you can see it is painted as an LNER loco.

The final engine was an old faithfull, the 56xx  This is the enging that the railwaywas built for.   James wasn’t able to get over till late so most of the running was done after every one had left.  The honer of driving what turned out to be the last ever train to travel over the Stanford Parkside railway went to Liz.

 

The 56xx is an extended LBSC Minx chassie.  that means an inside cylinder loco using Joy valvegear.   she is a real workhorse that will take most things in her stride.  She also is the reason for the track existing in the first place.