The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) have just been informed that 60009 Union of South Africa will not be able to run along the 18-mile heritage line due to the locomotive needing new piston rings and valve rings which cannot be sourced in time for her visit. The LNER Class A4 steam locomotive was due to operate over the railway's 2019 opening event, however despite the charity's best effort this has not been possible.

Due to the hard work of the staff and volunteers the NYMR has managed to secure a replacement engine, 34092 City of Wells, a Bulleid Light Pacific, which will now operate on the published timetabled services.

Chris Price, General Manager at NYMR, said: “Working within the heritage preservation world, situations such as this bring home how fragile these historic locomotives are and the challenges associated with maintaining old equipment. Of course we are disappointed but we are also confident that having 34092 City of Wells, travelling across the moors will be a fantastic sight to see.

I would like to thank the East Lancashire Railway for their cooperation and support during this time. Their support has been invaluable and as a gesture of goodwill we have agreed to a visit of 926 Repton to their Autumn Gala which takes place 18-20 October 2019”.

Any passengers booked on these services should arrive for their scheduled journey as planned. All seat allocations still apply with passengers being offered free tea and coffee on board as a thank you for their understanding and support. If you have any questions please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or alternatively contact Customer Services in 01751 472508.

34092 City of Wells will depart at 9:30, 12:40 & 15:40* from Grosmont Station on 30, 31 March and 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7 April 2019. 

34092 was constructed at Brighton Works in 1949 and later that year it was named Wells which was changed to City of Wells in 1950. It was initially allocated to Stewarts Lane where it worked out of Victoria to the Kent coast. In November 1964, it was withdrawn from service and sent to Woodham Brothers at Barry for scrap where it arrived in March 1965. It remained there until October 1971 when a group from the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway bought it. In 2017 agreement was reached between the owners and the East Lancashire Railway for the railway to buy the locomotive.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a not for profit charitable trust providing memorable experiences for visitors and fulfilment for volunteers and staff through the operation of Britain’s most popular heritage railway between Whitby and Pickering. Find out more. 

 

Tickets

*15:40 service will operate only on 3, 4, 6 & 7 April

Contributor: BestPix / Alamy Stock Photo.