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 SDR was drawing to a close, this was the ideal way to leave the line , and visit the K&WVR again !
Following a UAT , air receiver re-certification and a transit exam , 31108 departed Buckfastleigh on Weds 3rd June together with the SDR 3 hauled by DRS 37423. Following a night in Crewe , the convoy carried on to Haworth the following day arriving mid afternoon.
The gala took place over 3 days , Fri 6th – Sun 8th June , and following a ‘ wash ‘n’ brush up’ and exam on the Thursday at Haworth , she was ready to go !
2008 marked the 40th Anniversary of the K&WVR and DRS 37087 visiting the gala was appropiately named after the railway and hauled a series of celebrationary special trains on the Thursday , prior to the main event.
All in all 31108 worked roughly 3 return trips each day , most singular but some with 37037 and 37087 and performed faultlessly. The weather was fantastic (no thunderstorm unusually ! ) , and it was good to see our friends from this line again and likewise sad to see our friends from SDR go. Other locos appearing at the event were 20087 , 25059 & D1023 . The usual tour of public houses in the Keighley area during the evenings with the lads was up to the standard we expect ! A superb weekend indeed.
Following on from the event , 31108 almost immediately parted company from the SDR locos (West Somerset bound) and joined 20087 & D1023 for the journey to Bury behind 57009 to take part in their gala a few weeks later.
Shortly after arrival from Keighley, 31108 stands at Oxenhope waiting to run-round..06/06/08 photo D Firth
31108 stabled next to the NR mainline at Keighley during the gala ..07/06/08 photo W Coppack
Another view at Keighley with the line for Skipton & Settle/Carlisle in the background..07/06/08 photo W Coppack
31108 stabled at Haworth shed following the gala awaiting movement to Bury..08/06/08 photo W Coppack