Away Workings

31162 has recently been away at the following locations:

  • 28/09/2012 – present Great Central Railway – North
  • 19/03/2011 – 27/09/2012 Llangollen Railway
  • 26/08/2009 – 18/03/2011 Elsecar Heritage Railway

When we have time, we’ll update the story for each of these workings.

Full stories of the previous workings

  • 11/05/2005 – 09/10/2009 – present Nene Valley Railway October 9, 2009

    31271 arrived at the NVR on Weds 11th May 2005 replacing 31108 which had been based there since 17/09/01, see 31108 Nene Valley Railway for details of the changeover. Our first workings at NVR with 31271 took place on Sunday ...

  • 25/06/2008 – 26/08/2009 Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway August 26, 2009

    We first visited this railway in 2005 whilst dismantling 31123 and we were asked if one of our locos could visit the line at some point. Indeed in the summer of 2007 we had a request for a loco to ...

  • 18/09/2008 – 22/09/2008 Wensleydale Railway September 22, 2008

    A new line for A1A ! We had a request some time ago for 31108 to attend this railway for their inaugural Diesel Gala , however problems with various TOC’s who had been provisionally contracted to bring in our loco ...

  • 10/06/2008 – 15/07/2008 East Lancashire Railway July 15, 2008

    It was great to be back at the ELR again !

    This massive gala took place over 9 days and 31108 was booked out of 4 of these days. However no sooner had we arrived, we were offered the days ‘steam ...

  • 01/06/2002 – 25/06/2008 North Norfolk Railway June 25, 2008

    During early 2002 the North Norfolk Railway contacted us regarding the possible loan of one of our locos , so following negotiations an agreement was reached to base 5580 (31162) on the line. This delightful railway once formed part of ...

  • 04/06/2008 – 10/06/2008 Keighley and Worth Valley June 10, 2008

    Our fourth visit here and our second with 31108 ! This gala visit came about as 20110 , 25262 , & 37037 from the South Devon Railway were invited to the event and as 31108’s year long visit at the ...

  • 08/06/07 – 03/06/08 South Devon Railway June 3, 2008

    We actually received an invitation to the South Devon Railway in late 2005 for 31108 to appear at the 2006 June Diesel Gala , however regrettably we were forced to cancel at the last moment due to a power unit ...

  • 19/04/07 – 22/04/07 North Yorkshire Moors Railway April 22, 2007

    We received an invitation to this major event in late 2006 , and not only would it be a pleasure to be attending this superb railway it also would help ‘bed in’ the new parts fitted during 31108’s engine repairs ...

  • 10/09/2005 – 11/09/2005 Crewe Works Open Day September 11, 2005

    Another Open Weekend , this time Crewe Works……. We received an invite to this event during April whilst 31108 was still at the NVR . It all depended on whether 108 would get to MRB as that’s where the convoy ...

  • 17/09/2001 – 11/05/2005 Nene Valley Railway May 11, 2005

    Following our hugely successful visit with 5580 in early 2000 , we were invited back with 31108 , this loco having strong connections with the area , being based locally at March for many years. Also , it is claimed ...

  • 06/05/2005 – 08/05/2005 West Somerset Railway May 8, 2005

    One of the small number of ‘big name’ preserved railways we hadn’t been to…so when we received an invitation for 31271 to attend the West Somerset 2005 Gala we were very pleased indeed. Not only ‘new’ for A1A but as ...

  • 03/07/2004 – 11/07/2004 East Lancashire Railway July 11, 2004

    The visit of 31271 became the fourth time we had graced the ELR Diesel Gala with one of our engines and with 31271 arriving at Bury over a week early , we were slotted into the Saturday roster and given ...

  • 19/06/2004 – 20/06/2004 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway June 20, 2004

    Following the successful Railfest event at York , 31271 returned to Butterley where she was re-united with her snow-ploughs – yes we know it was JUNE, however we decided not to fit the centre pieces. The loco was given an exam in ...

  • 29/05/2004 – 06/06/2004 Railfest 200, NRM ( including naming ceremony ) June 6, 2004

    The invitation to this prestigious event came about as we could provide something ‘different’ , an immaculate locomotive together with a naming ceremony dedicating one of railway historys most important engineering complexes , Stratford.At the time of the request for ...

  • 16/05/2003 – 18/05/2003 Mid-Hants Railway May 18, 2003

    Our second visit to this railway and this time with 31271 on her first visit away from Butterley . This Gala visit for 271 had been postponed from the previous year whilst teething troubles were being rectified post overhaul.As ...

  • 26/04/2002 – 28/04/2002 Mid-Hants Railway April 28, 2002

    In early 2002 we received an invitation for 31271 to take part in the prestigious Mid Hants diesel gala or ‘ Trainspotters Ball ‘ as they affectionately named it..! However as 271 wasn’t quite ready to make the ...

  • 09/07/2001 – 17/09/2001 East Lancashire Railway September 17, 2001

    Yet another visit to the excellent ELR …! With both our 31108 & 5580 requested to attend, this would be their first away ‘ operating ‘ event together , and would result in a ‘ hat-trick ‘ of visits to ...

  • 29/09/2000 – 01/10/2000 Severn Valley Railway October 1, 2000

    Originally it was 5580 which received the invitation for this event , however her air receivers were ‘ out of ticket ‘ so we offered 31108 as a replacement. The organisers being ‘ well happy ‘ with this amendment , ...

  • 05/08/2000 – 06/08/2000 Old Oak Common Open Weekend August 6, 2000

    We received a phone call early in 2000 requesting the availibility of 31108 which was still under overhaul at the time, OR that of 5580. Discussions were therefore held with the organiser of the event which resulted in a request ...

  • 22/07/2000 – 23/07/2000 Keighley and Worth Valley July 23, 2000

    Whilst at this railway with 5580 in 1999 , tentative arrangements were made regarding the visit of 31108 , even though at the time 108 was still a long way off from completion. Fortunately everything went according to plan and ...

  • 14/01/ 2000 – 16/07/ 2000 Nene Valley Railway July 16, 2000

    5580’s extended visit to the Nene Valley Railway would be the launch of a new operating base for A1A Locomotives Ltd , and one of our favourite railways.The railway is part of the line that ran between Peterboro and ...

  • 25/07/1999 – 01/08/1999 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway August 1, 1999

    Due to our earlier than expected arrival at the railway , we were offered the chance to operate the DMU turn on Saturday 25th July with 5580….! Knowing that the railway has a small fleet of ex Kings Cross suburban ...

  • 17/07/1999 – 18/07/1999 Barrow Hill Open Weekend July 18, 1999

    This weekend’s appearance by 5580 only really materialised at the last minute due to amendments connected with her move to KWVR. Indeed she wasn’t even on proper display or working trains because of her late arrival. However it was ...

  • 03/07/1999 – 11/07/1999 East Lancashire Railway July 11, 1999

    Following our successful visit the previous year , it wasn’t long before we were back ! After the usual pre-gala exam , a RES Class 47 moved us to Bury one week earlier than originally planned which luckily enabled 5580 ...

  • 10/04/1999 – 11/04/1999 Barrow Hill Open Weekend April 11, 1999

    We received an invite to this event along with 50007 and DPS 55009 , which had been guesting at the MRC Spring Gala along with 55019 and 2 DRS Class 20s. One of these 20s , following the Butterley event ...

  • 29/08/1998 – 30/08/1998 Toton TMD Open Weekend August 30, 1998

    Following an invitation to this event , we decided to give 5580 a thorough clean and as it was our first ‘ Open Day ‘ , a full bogie repaint . Movement to Toton took place on Friday 28th August ...

  • 22/06/1998 – 23/07/1998 East Lancashire Railway July 23, 1998

    Our first ever visit to a  ‘ foreign’ railway came in early June 1998 with an invitation to the week long Diesel Gala at the East Lancashire Railway commencing on Monday 6th July. An excited maintenance team carried out what ...