Latest News...
30 September 06 - A Monarch at Work
The Society has released the following press announcement of a forthcoming book...
In collaboration with Ian Allan Publishing Limited, the 6024 Preservation Society Limited is to publish a new book about No. 6024 King Edward I in early November. The book will be a hard-back publication of 176 pages, in A4 landscape format, retailing at under £20. It will be largely a photographic record of the locomotive’s work since its return to traffic in preservation in 1990, and will form a collection of about 200 high quality colour and black + white pictures of the locomotive by a host of top photographers, many of whom are well-known and who regularly publish, as well as some less well-known but up-and-coming. Full details including price and ordering arrangements will be available on the Society's website www.6024.com shortly.
30 September 06 - West Somerset Railway
After 2 weeks off it was back into action for the loco on the West Somerset Railway. The previous weekend had seen a large working party getting through a lot of maintenance jobs on the loco and with those out of the way the loco was lit up and out working on a private steam engineman's course. Next weekend is the railway's Autumn gala and the loco will be running on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
12 September 06 - Press Release
With regard to the published railtour on the 7th October, the 6024 Preservation Society has made the following statement...
"This tour was originally planned for the Spring, involving 71000. Due to the unavailability of the Duke at that time the railtour was postponed until the autumn, still with 71000 as the planned steam traction. The 6024 Society was approached in June to provide substitute traction, but due to a long-standing commitment to the West Somerset Railway for the King to appear at the WSR Autumn Gala on the 7th/8th October, the Society suggested to the promoter to run the 'Eden Limited' on the 14th October instead, when 6024 would be, and still could be available. This apparently was unacceptable to the promoter.
"As was noted at the time another promoter had approached the Society to run a train in the South-West on the same day and having initially advertised 6024 as the traction, had been given the same explanation for the engine's unavailability. The promoter subsequently allocated another locomotive for the train.
"Contrary to the statement in their letter to their customers that Pathfinder Tours had "secured" 6024, the 6024 Society never agreed to operate the 'Eden Limited' on the 7th October. It should be noted that Pathfinder Tours continued to advertise the 'Eden Limited' with 6024 as the motive power on their website until last week, despite the fact that they have known of the engine's unavailability since June.
"The 6024 Society takes its commitments to its customers very seriously indeed and will always endeavour both to meet existing commitments and also, whenever it can, will suggest alternatives and assist customers in their planned and marketed promotions. The Society does not lightly turn away work for 6024. However, for the reasons given above the Society does not accept any responsibility for the cancellation of the 'Eden Limited' and completely repudiates any suggestion that it was to blame for the cancellation."
11 September 06 - West Somerset Railway
After a light engine move today the loco is now at the West Somerset Railway where it will be based for the next 2 months. The loco is having a well earned rest (like the rest of us) before appearing at the line's Gala in October and the runs to/from Cornwall.
09 September 06 - Sir John Betjamen Centenary Train
Paddington's platform 1 was the scene for this re-creation of the golden age of travel, band playing, passengers looking their colourful best boarding a gleaming train bound for the West. 6024 was at the head of this VSOE Northern Belle stocked train to Bristol as part of the centenary celebrations of Sir John Betjamen. With both Royalty and celebrities on board the train headed out through the London suburbs pausing at Slough before passing through Reading and onto the water stop at Challow. Sweeping then on through Swindon, Chippenham & Bath it was into Bristol where the reception committee were waiting at Platfrom 3 to take the travellers to St Mary Redcliffe for other events. A change of crew saw Bristol men take over for the return run and the loco was put at the task with much vigour roaring through the west country with some noisy climbs through Box tunnel and up Dauntsey Bank. A Platform 1 arrival at Paddington is a rare event for steam but the loco certainly made her presence felt under Brunels span's, her sharp exhaust echoing around the station. Chance for some final photos and farewells to be said before some celebratory whistling saw us head back to Old Oak Common.
3 September 06 - Torbay Express
"It ain't over until the fat lady sings" the quote goes and in fine fashion our grand old dame was on song in this final tour de force that's been the Torbay Express. It's been a great season of trains for both the society and Past Time Rail and although it sad to be over, some of us could really do with the rest.! The run itself was another piece of clockwork high class running that has been the norm over the last nine weeks. Both crews once again pulling out all the stops. The outward run was one of the quickest runs into Whiteball tunnel this summer and the return saw some terrific running through Yatton & Nailsea to the summit at Flax Bourton to yet another early arrival at Bristol Temple Meads. It just remains to make a few "Thank You's"...
Firstly, to Past Time Rail & all their staff for putting on these trains and hiring 6024. Thanks also to all the folks at EWS. The crews, Paul Burns, Bob Cotterill, Geoff Ewans, Bob Hart, Gareth Jones, Colin Kerswell, Fred Lewis, Tom Rees, Jim Smith & Steve Wainwright. The folks at Barton Hill depot who've been our host all this time. The staff & crews at the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway. To the folks who came to help out with loco disposal in the midweek (you know who you are). Last but not least to all the people who spent their hard earned cash on a day out to the sea. We hope you had a great time and come back next year to support this great day out.
