The East Lancashire Railway has announced that 78018 will be visiting the line for their Spring Steam Gala 2019.

BR Class 2 No.78018 will be visiting the line courtesy of the Loughborough Standards Locomotive Group (LSLG) and the Great Central Railway.

The Class 2 will be appearing at the gala, which runs from 8th March 2019 to the 10th March 2019.

78018 joins BR Standard 4 80097, BR Standard 4 80080, SR 34092 ‘City of Wells’, LMS Black 5 45407 ‘The Lancashire Fusilier’, 52322, 2890 and 32 ‘Gothenburg’ at the gala.

Brief History of 78018

78018 hauling a Santa Special along the Nene Valley Railway’s line Credit Nene Valley Railway’s FB Page

Restored in October 2016, 78018 is one of three preserved members of BR Standard 2 (2-6-0). A fourth member, 78059, was saved but has since been used in the reconstruction of a BR Standard 2 (2-6-2T). More information on this project can be found here

78018 has been owned by the Darlington Railway Preservation Societies since they bought it. They began a restoration program in 1981. The engine has been on hire to the Great Central Railway since 2018, with the Loughborough Standards Locomotive Group (LSLG) being custodians of the locomotive.

The locomotive has visited other heritage lines since restoration was completed, such as the Nene Valley Railway.

Where Next?

News Homepage
   For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
   Framed Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s and more
LocoStop – The RailAdvent Community
   Come and share your railway pictures
East Lancashire Railway
   Visit their website
Photo: Langton Photography
   Visit their Facebook page