Loose_Grip/Pete's photos with the keyword: 31806

Later that day we were in platform 1 at Loughborough on the 12.15 service to Leicester North with U Class 2-6-0 31806. This view is normally blocked by carriages in the Up Through siding but we had just shunted them out of the way.

I'm very pleased to say that I got the chance to fire U Boat 2-6-0 31806 today as I was rostered fireman on the 10.00 and 12.15 "Southern Weekend" trains. The engine had been disposed properly by the Monday Gang and Dave had put an excellent warming fire in overnight so prepping at 06.00 was made much easier. It was also conveniently parked under Empress Road bridge so I was nice and dry!! By 08.10 it was hardly getting light & there was 70psi on the gauge. The other engine out this weekend is Fowler 3F 0-6-0T 47406 being used for fireman training and here they were prepping her on the pit ahead of us.

I only made a quick visit to Birstall this afternoon - I'm participating in the Gala tomorrow and Sunday - but in the 45 minutes I was by the foot crossing two trains made it up the "branch" to Leicester North. The second visitor was Southern Maunsell U Class 2-6-0 31806 on the 15.15 from Leicester. It is a right-hand drive engine so it's James the fireman leaning out of the cab window.

The first of our Southern Railway Gala visitors was on shed at Loughborough today. SR Maunsell U Class 2-6-0 31806 sits in shed road 2 in front of Ivatt 2MT 46521 and Modified Hall 6990 Witherslack Hall.