NEWLY repainted Churchward 2-8-0T No. 4277 emerged from the Churnet Valley Railway’s (CVR) Cheddleton works on October 18 carrying its new British Railways black livery.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway’s loco, known to generations of Devon holidaymakers as Hercules, has been returned to its 1950s condition in order to take part in the CVR’s Silver Jubilee gala on October 20-22.
The one-time Aberbeeg resident has been completed with the early ‘cycling lion’ emblem on the tank sides, red-backed numberplates on the bunker, and a new smokebox numberplate. It is the first time the loco has carried BR livery in 15 years.
Enjoy more Railway reading in the monthly magazine.
Click here to subscribe & save.
The gala’s other visiting locomotive also carries the same period livery, and like No. 4277 comes from the Great Western family.
No. 7820 Dinmore Manor arrived direct from the West Somerset Railway on October 17
and, following inspection, carried out a test run along the steeply graded Cauldon Branch.
Read more in November’s issue of The RM – on sale now!