Halloween specials end season on a high

The highest Halloween passenger numbers since Covid meant the season at Leighton Buzzard Railway ended in good style.

Two trains were in service, one hauled by an intriguing pair of vertical boiler engines. De Winton 0-4-0VBTs Taffy (visiting from Alan Keef Ltd) and LBR-based ‘Chaloner’, built in Wales by de Winton in 1877 which is a resident at Leighton Buzzard.

The other train was hauled by Baldwin 10-12-D 4-6-0T WDLR No. 778 making its final appearance in steam before withdrawal as its boiler ticket expires on 30 November. This iconic World War One locomotive built for service in the Battlefields of France is owned by The Greensand Railway Museum Trust (a registered charity) No. 778 has run at the Leighton Buzzard Railway since it was restored to operation in 2007.

No. 778 will now be withdrawn for its second 10-year overhaul under GRMT custodianship. ‘We aim to ensure the overhaul of No. 778 is undertaken as rapidly as possible,’ commented Greensand Railway Museum Trust chairman, Cliff Thomas. ‘The Leighton Buzzard Railway, a line built with WW1 surplus equipment and opened in 1919 with its extensive collection of WW1 era locomotives and stock is the perfect home for No. 778 and doubtless will remain so into the foreseeable future. This loco has been pulling LBR trains since 2007 and the trustees hope the required overhaul can be completed as quickly as possible to enable that to resume.

‘Meanwhile plans are being finalised for an even bigger programme of events at the railway for 2026 including TV Character visits, a Model Railway exhibition, the ever popular Beer Festival, not to mention the high spot of the summer when the Pirates invade and the train is attacked by the Pirate’s rail mounted Galleon! Details will be posted on the railway website as they are confirmed.

‘And don’t forget to book for a Steam Train ride and visit to Santa in his grotto. This special Christmas event sells out every year and the most popular trains are likely to be fully booked in the next week or two, so book your tickets now.

‘The one factor which could hold up the swift return to steam of 778 is available finance, so any help people can contribute would be hugely appreciated by the trust and the railway.’

Donations towards the cost of overhauling No. 778 can be sent to GRMT c/o Pages Park station to be paid into a GRMT 778 Restricted Fund held by LBR.

Visit www.buzzrail.uk for more information.