Streamlined star of the National Collection, Duchess of Hamilton will be joined by newly-restored guest locomotive Galatea, for the 9th Annual Steam Gala at Locomotion on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd September.
In addition to Galatea, which returned to traffic this summer after extensive restoration from scrap yard condition, there will be two further engines in steam: Coal Tank No. 1054
and Furness Railway No. 20, displayed alongside the Duchess, and London North Western Railway Locomotives, Hardwicke and Cornwall.
The locomotives represent a variety of engines that would have operated in the west of England. Galatea will be arriving at the museum under its own steam via the main line. The London Midland and Scottish Railway Stanier Class 5XP locomotive was built at Crewe in 1936, for express passenger work. On being withdrawn from service in 1964 the locomotive was sent to Barry scrap yard, South Wales to be cut up.
One of two ‘Jubilees’ – as they were commonly known – sent to Barry, Galatea had derailed, whilst in the yard, and had her main driving wheels cut through.
Consequently not considered a candidate for restoration, she was left there until 1980, when she was purchased to supply spare parts for surviving operating sister locomotive Leander.
After a nomadic, twilight existence, dismissed as a no-hoper, an ambitious 10-year restoration project by the engineers of West Coast Railway Company, at Carnforth, saw Galatea returned to working order and making its first appearance on the main line, after nearly 50 years, in April 2013.
Visitors to the museum can enjoy the chance to see this locomotive operating and visiting Shildon for thevery first time.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
