Didcot secures visit from Fawley Hill’s No. 31

by

HUDSWELL, Clarke 0-6-0ST Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons No. 31 made its first preservation-era visit to another heritage railway in late October when it joined ‘Swindonised’ Hudswell, Clarke 0-6-0ST No. 813 at Didcot Railway Centre. 

No. 31 can usually be found on the late Sir William McAlpine’s private railway at Fawley Hill (now in the care of his widow, Lady Judy McAlpine), but moved to Didcot during mid-October, where it ran alongside visiting No. 813 on October 30, and again on November 1-2.   

Article continues below…
Advert

Enjoy more Railway reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.
Hudswell, Clarke 0-6-0ST pair Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons No. 31 and Severn Valley railway-based No. 813 stand side-by-side at Didcot Railway Centre following No. 31’s arrival from Fawley Hill on October 10. FRANK DUMBLETON/GWS 

No. 31 was posed with ‘Castle’ 4-6-0 No. 4079 Pendennis Castle while at Didcot, which was part-owned by Sir William McAlpine in the 1960s and 1970s until sold to the Hammersley Iron Company in Australia. 

The two locomotives have never previously met despite sharing the same owner.

Read more News and Features in the November 2019 issue of The Railway Magazine –on sale now!

Article continues below…
Advert


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


About the Author