Next weekend, the Churnet Valley Railway in Staffordshire is to recreate the last runs in mainline service of Great Western Railway Castle Class No. 4079 Pendennis Castle.
The weekend of Saturday, 1st, and Sunday, 2nd June, is also Pendennis Castle's final weekend of operation at the Churnet Valley Railway.
To mark the 60th Anniversary of City of Truro becoming the first steam locomotive to reach 100 mph, a rail tour ran on 9th May 1964 hauled by Western Region Castle Class locomotives.
Pendennis Castle was one of four Castles selected for the tour, but whilst running at 96 mph its firebars melted and it was removed from the train at Westbury.
Whilst waiting for Pendennis Castle to be recovered, bookshop owner Mike Higson contacted British Railways and agreed a deal to purchase the locomotive before it could be sold for scrap.
After the locomotive had been repaired, another agreement saw it re-enter service with British Railways and used on rail tours organised by enthusiast groups before steam services finally ceased across the UK.
During this weekend, a selection of the final rail tours will be re-enacted, with 4079 climbing to Ipstones adorned with various headboards to recreate the glorious finale of steam in everyday service.
- X68. A rail tour was organised by Ian Allan Publishing to carry Ffestiniog Railway members from London to Wales for their AGM on 25th April 1964.
- Z48. Two weeks later on 9th May 1964, Ian Allan Publishing organised another rail tour titled the “Great Western High Speed Railtour” with 4079 carrying the headboard Z48.
- X82. On 25th September 1965, Pendennis Castle carrying an X82 headboard hauled another Ian Allan Publishing rail tour for members of the Talyllyn Railway travelling from London to Wales for their AGM, with 4079 operating the London to Shrewsbury part of the tour.
- 1X82. Ian Allan Publishing also organised the “Birkenhead Flyer” on 4th March 1967 as one of two trains marking the withdrawal of through workings from London Paddington to Birkenhead via Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Shrewsbury and Chester. 4079 carrying headboard 1X82 hauled Train 1 between Didcot and Chester and return.
The rail tour reenactments will depart Froghall station at 13:30 each day, with additional trains on Saturday at 18:00 and on Sunday at 10:30.
For a more special experience, a breakfast, lunch, or curry suppers are available dependent upon the time of departure. Further information and advance tickets are available online at https://www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk/.
In March, Pendennis Castle helped the Churnet Valley Railway recreate the last steam-hauled Cambrian Coast Express.
