TESTING of the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society’s Bagnall ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST No. 75178 (2766/1944) got underway at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway on October 14.
The former Maesteg Colliery locomotive, carrying its newly applied War Department livery and number, notched up a total of three miles during the day, running light engine in the yard at Bodmin General then down the Boscarne branch towards Crabtree Lane.
It was the first time the loco had moved any distance under its own power since 1976, although it did make a few short moves in the yard back in April.
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Further test running was undertaken on November 15 when No. 75178 notched up another 10 miles, first with a light engine to Boscarne Junction and return, then with a 40-ton load half way down the Parkway branch and back. Restoration leader Phil Hawke described it as an “impressive preformance.”
Read more in the December issue of The RM – on sale now!
