This post was originally the final update to the Community page of the old MVR website.
On 11th April we paid our second visit to the WLR of 2014. (For a report on the January steam-up see the WLR site.) With the MVR currently awaiting repairs, it was great to have the chance to get out into the garden again. Fortunately, we were blessed with better weather than last year’s abortive April steam-up at the MVR: there was no rain and we even enjoyed some sunny spells!
I made a concerted effort to complete A2’s long-delayed repaint in time for the gala; the finishing touches were applied the day before! Naturally, I was keen to show her off alongside her sister A1; however, 2014 being the MVR’s 10th anniversary year, I decided to go one better. For the first time in a decade, the MVR was now in a position to run four passenger coaches, plus brake van, in matching livery – so that’s what I decided to do. Normally, I am reluctant to transport our bogie coaches to other railways, for fear of accidentally damaging their delicate balcony railings while in transit; but, to celebrate this special occasion, I decided to make an exception. Thus Russell, A1/2, B1, B2 and K3 all made their way to the WLR.
Of course, the WLR’s extensive passenger fleet was not forgotten. In the morning, a train of seven bogie coaches was run; by contrast, the afternoon saw a mixed train comprising the WLR’s new rake of IP coaches and some of their extensive fleet of wooden-bodied goods wagons. After the complete MVR train had had its moment in the spotlight, B1 and A1/2 were paired with the WLR’s Bachmann goods wagons at the end of the day. Nos. 3 Jonathan, 6 William and 15 The Earl flew the flag for the WLR’s steam fleet; battery diesel No. 8 also made a brief appearance for shunting.
One minor incident during the day was a derailment just beyond the tunnel, which unfortunately saw B2 lose a set of balcony steps when they came into contact with the retaining wall; however, it should be a simple job to reattach them. Otherwise this was a most relaxed and enjoyable steam-up. As always, many thanks to the WLR for hosting.
On 11th April we paid our second visit to the WLR of 2014. (For a report on the January steam-up see the WLR site.) With the MVR currently awaiting repairs, it was great to have the chance to get out into the garden again. Fortunately, we were blessed with better weather than last year’s abortive April steam-up at the MVR: there was no rain and we even enjoyed some sunny spells!
I made a concerted effort to complete A2’s long-delayed repaint in time for the gala; the finishing touches were applied the day before! Naturally, I was keen to show her off alongside her sister A1; however, 2014 being the MVR’s 10th anniversary year, I decided to go one better. For the first time in a decade, the MVR was now in a position to run four passenger coaches, plus brake van, in matching livery – so that’s what I decided to do. Normally, I am reluctant to transport our bogie coaches to other railways, for fear of accidentally damaging their delicate balcony railings while in transit; but, to celebrate this special occasion, I decided to make an exception. Thus Russell, A1/2, B1, B2 and K3 all made their way to the WLR.
Of course, the WLR’s extensive passenger fleet was not forgotten. In the morning, a train of seven bogie coaches was run; by contrast, the afternoon saw a mixed train comprising the WLR’s new rake of IP coaches and some of their extensive fleet of wooden-bodied goods wagons. After the complete MVR train had had its moment in the spotlight, B1 and A1/2 were paired with the WLR’s Bachmann goods wagons at the end of the day. Nos. 3 Jonathan, 6 William and 15 The Earl flew the flag for the WLR’s steam fleet; battery diesel No. 8 also made a brief appearance for shunting.
One minor incident during the day was a derailment just beyond the tunnel, which unfortunately saw B2 lose a set of balcony steps when they came into contact with the retaining wall; however, it should be a simple job to reattach them. Otherwise this was a most relaxed and enjoyable steam-up. As always, many thanks to the WLR for hosting.