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Preserved Locomotive Enthusiasts Group

Diesel day at the Mangapps Railway Museum - Sunday 15th June 2003

Review and photos courtesy of Six Bells Junction.

An absolutely scorching day and I am pleased to say the ice-creams on sale in the shop were not at normal railway prices!

All the locos and the DMU booked to work did, and their order of appearance on passenger services was:

DMU 79963 ("German" Railbus)
D2089
11104 (+D2089)
03399
D2325

I am pleased to say that since everything advertised to work did work, PLEG still has a 100% record for its events!

The mode of operation was generally two trips with one loco and then swap, with the DMU interleaved.

The services ran from Mangapps station platform to Old Heath (Headshunt) and return.  Some services called at Old Heath station, others just passed straight through.

Vintage buses were even provided free of charge to return people to the mainline station at the end of the day.

Overall an excellent day, definitely one of the best yet.  John Jolly is known as Jolly John for good reason!  Nothing was too much trouble and everything requested by PLEG was provided.  Mangapps Farm is a lovely little site with a museum, shop and picnic area.  The railway line runs through open fields.  Many, many thanks to John and his team for a superb day out.  Hints were made that a similar event may take place next year, so if you missed this one you missed a treat, so don't miss the next!

Ian Loveday