THE Great Western Society (GWS) marked the completion of its re-created Churchward ‘Saint’ in early April with a series of special commemorative events at Didcot Railway Centre.
Supporters of the project were invited to a preview day on April 3 to see No. 2999 Lady of Legend in steam, with the opportunity to become among the first passengers to travel behind a ‘Saint’ since 1953.
Many of those present had supported the project since it was officially launched 23 years ago, with some having backed the original aborted scheme that led to the GWS acquiring ‘Hall’ No. 4942 Maindy Hall from Barry Scrapyard in 1974.
Final painting of No. 2999 into fully lined Edwardian GWR livery with ‘garter’ arms on the tender has yet to be completed, but even in plain unlined green the ‘Saint’ presented an impressive spectacle.
Read more in the May 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!
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