The Autumn Gala held at the Leighton Buzzard Railway last weekend (28th – 29th September) has been hailed as a tremendous success.

In addition to the standard practice of incorporating all operational steam locomotives into a busy schedule, there were numerous other notable highlights.

In addition to experiencing a diverse range of motive power on passenger trains, both enthusiasts and families had the opportunity to board a unique service called ‘The Leedon Flyer’.

This service marked the return of the 1877 De Winton-built vertical boiler locomotive ‘Chaloner’ to passenger service, pulling special trains to and from Leedon Loop.

It was the first occasion in decades that ‘Chaloner’ had operated scheduled passenger services solo.

The 90hp O&K ‘Pedemoura’ wore a headboard commemorating its centenary, while various locomotives transported the loaded forestry logging set throughout the entire length of the line.

At the Stonehenge Works, the Industrial Train Demonstrations were vigorously conducted with a selection from the LBNGRS heritage diesel collection, reputed to be the UK’s second-largest collection of two-foot gauge diesel locomotives, complemented by a special appearance from the Kerr Stuart ‘Wren’ class ‘Peter Pan’.

The Fordson Go-Go Tractor Locomotive undertook multiple journeys along the track, yet the standout event was undoubtedly the showcase of the First World War collection.

This featured the Baldwin 2-10-D class locomotive no. 778 from 1917, which serviced the main line with public trains, while two WW1 Simplex locomotives, both armoured and protected, operated in tandem on the demonstration track, a spectacle unique to Leighton Buzzard.

Several volunteers, some of them joining in the last year, helped in making the event a big success with many of the locomotives taking part, which included the following:

‘Pedemoura’ 0-6-0WT built by Orenstein & Koppel A.G., Drewitz, near Berlin, No. 10808 of 1924.  Constructed for Eduardo Guedes in Lisbon, Portugal, and formerly operated at Minas de Pejão, Douro Valley, Portugal, this well tank locomotive was used to transport coal to a wharf on the river’s south bank.

‘Chaloner’ 0-4-0VBT built by De Winton & Co., Caernarvon, 1877. 

This vertical boiler steam locomotive which has the cylinders attached to the vertical boiler and no springing, was equipped with a new all-welded boiler in 2022.

It is believed to have been constructed for the Pen-y-Bryn slate quarry, formerly at the Pen-yr-Orsedd slate quarry, both in the Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd, Wales.

No. 778 4-6-0T built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, USA., No. 44656 of 1917. The rebuild, completed in 2007, included fitting a new boiler.

Features such as the chimney cap, hoods over the cab windows, and a water lifter, essential for operation in Northern France, were added. This locomotive is currently on loan from the Greensand Railway Museum Trust (GRMT).

2182 No. 461 of 1918 Dorman 4JO 4-cyl. Petrol engine, 40HP at 1500 rpm, sliding cone clutch, Last surviving British War Dept.

The ‘fully armoured’ type of Light Railways, designed and constructed for operation in France during the First World War, is currently on loan from the Greensand Railway Museum Trust.  

This locomotive is one of the 495 units constructed for the British War Department, this model was based on a previous design for the Chemin de Fer Militaire du Maroc in French Morocco. Starting in August 1917, it was utilized by the 14th US Engineers stationed at their base in Boisleux-au-Mont, located south of Arras.

3098 LR3098 No. 1377 of 1918.  ‘Protected’ design’. 

Dorman 4JO 4-cyl. petrol engine; 40HP at 1500 rpm. The sliding cone clutch and ‘Simplex’ 2-speed gearbox were designed and built for the British Army’s use in France during the First World War. This piece is currently on loan from the National Railway Museum in York.