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On the 18th May 2010, 14 901 left Elsecar for the first time under Andrew's auspices.
But on the Sunday before (16th) the '14, now with all doors afixed but still lacking the awaited vinyls, operated the Sunday service on the Elsecar Heritage Railway, the only problem reported being to rein in the loco from exceeding the 10mph line speed limit with only 2 carriages despite gradients as steep as 1 in 48!
Collected by Reid Freight (with Simon Reid in the driving seat) the '14 was loaded in bright sunshine at Elsecar. The trailer was about the largest that can be accomodated with the access arrangements, and taxed Simon's skills in easing out of the site..
Nevertheless, if slightly later than planned, 14 901 was on the road, curiously sharing the M1 with a teak-bodied carriage on its way south to Waterloo for the "Railway Children" theatrical event, but I digress. A little after lunch, the rig arrived at the MR-B unloading point.
Although a Barclay 0-4-0DH had been brought up to escort the 14 down the connecting line to Swanwick Junction, in the end it was despatched to collect GW 0-6-2T 5643 for departure (on the same transport) and 14 901 was allowed to move itself gently down to the sheds for an FTR at the ash pit.
Although a few minor snags were spotted, the loco was passed Fit To Run and as the sun sank towards the evening, we were given the chance to "learn the road" with a run to Butterley and then back to Riddings. Operating light loco, the MR-B pilot authorised the '14 to reach line speed on the run back up from Riddings (about 1 in 100) and the loco had no difficulty at all in reaching 25mph with nothing like full throttle. This - following its performance at Elsecar last Sunday or at the May 2 Gala - is in stark contrast to the reports of its lack-lustre operation while based in Scotland.
At the end of this succesful run it was pictured at Swanwick Junction platforms (below) before returning to the shed for stabling through to the MR-B gala this weekend.
The vinyls were promised for despatch on the 18th, so hopefully will be on in time for the Gala.
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