Clun Castle returns to main line after 31-year hiatus

Tyseley’s flagship Collett 4-6-0 No. 7029 Clun Castle made a triumphant return to the main line last month.

This was its first venture onto the national network since 1988, following an extensive overhaul at Tyseley Locomotive Works.

The 1950-built ‘Castle’ ran a series of light engine test runs to ease it through speeds of 15, 25, 45, 50 and 60mph, taking it initially from Tyseley to Small Heath and back in the morning, then out to Whitlocks End and back in the afternoon. 

Once darkness had fallen after the evening commuter rush, ‘Clun’ was cleared for the full 30-mile run out to Stratford-upon-Avon, performing faultlessly in both directions.

They were the first runs made by No. 7029 anywhere other than Tyseley since 2001.

Read more in the March 2019 issue of The Railway Magazine – on sale now!

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