Leighton Buzzard Success
Over the bank holiday weekend, Gertrude was successfully launched in public and worked together with sister locomotive Doll on several trains for the length of the line on the Leighton Buzzard Railway. Following some final finishing touches and tests after arrival on the Friday and Saturday, the locomotive then excelled itself in it’s first weekend in service.
On Saturday we were joined by Peter Westmacott along with his daughter Sarah. Sarah joined Gertrude on the footplate for its first train on the Saturday when it did a special return trip to Leedon Loop and back.
Gertrude and Doll steam out of Pages Park © Nik Barrie
For those that missed seeing Gertrude last weekend, she will be in steam again at Leighton Buzzard next weekend for their September Steam Up. The weekend will see an intensive service with lots of engines rostered and the last chance for now to see Gertrude and Doll double heading together. The current plan is expected to see Doll and Gertrude work together on 3 trains on Saturday and a further 2 on Sunday. So that’s the 5th & 6th September – not to be missed.
Don’t forget, as well as some video clips below, you can now view (and upload your own) photos of Gertrude on our photos page.
More photo’s can also be found on Paul’s Fotopic Site.
September 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 am
Well done!
Peter J P Barwell
Registrar of Bloxham Village Museum
Former Lord Mayor of Birmingham where started this weeek on re-building New Street Station.
September 8th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
As a local Leighton Buzzard storage business we are very proud to see all the work of the Leighton Buzzard Railway. The word enthusiasts was never better used to describe the efforts put in by the people that run this organisation. Keep up the good work. You are a credit to the town.