57 Stanley Street Rothwell, Kettering Northemptonshire,
England
All steam enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that The East
Anglian Locomotive Preservation Society of England has now placed a
10 percent deposit on the Britannia Pacific Locomotive No. 70000
‘Britannia’. This locomotive was the first of the 999
built at the Crewe locomotive works. In 1958 she worked the first
Essex Coast Express from Clacton to Liverpool Street Station in
London.
It is intended that when the engine is restored she will operate
on the ex-Great Central Line between Ruddington (Near Nottingham)
and Leicester (pronounced LESTER). It is proposed to preserve this
stretch of main line of about 20 miles, through the efforts of The
Main Line Preservation Group.
All efforts are now being concentrated on raising the balance of
3,5001 (about 10,500 Dollars) by December 31st, and it is
interesting to note that nearly 100 has been raised from sales at
Traction Engine Rallies, and placed in the Britannia fund.
The address for the above group is: C.J. Richell. Vice-Chairman,
The East Anglian Locomotive Preservation Society, 96, Grenoble
Gardens, Palmers Green, London, N. 13, England.
British Rail ran their very last Steam service in August of
1968, all steam stock apart from a few held back for preservation
by British Rail, has now been sold for scrap, with a few being
purchased privately for preservation by various groups and
individuals. The most famous preserved steamer is of course,
L.N.E.R. 4472, Gresley A. 3 Pacific, ‘Flying Scotsman’,
which is allowed by contract to use British Rail lines for Special
runs until 1971. It is doubtful whether British Rail will renew
this contract, which is why the aims of the Main Line Preservation
Group, mentioned above, are so important in saving a stretch of
main line which they hope to purchase from British Rail at a cost
of many many thousands of Pounds, so that the preserved Steam
Locomotives can have a worthwhile stretch of main line to work
on.
