Carnforth Open Weekend 2008

When steam on British Railways ended 40 years ago on August 11, 1968, the steam motive power depot at Carnforth, Lancs, played a key part in that historic day. Even now it still has a special place in the hearts of many railway enthusiasts.

Home at one time of legendary LNER A3 Pacific No. 4472 Flying Scotsman and other locomotives rescued from British Railways, Carnforth was an attraction to hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years, during which time the depot has serviced and stabled the numerous main line steam locos used on specials over the dramatic Settle & Carlisle line.

The event marks the 40th anniversary of BR’s 1968 steam finale and WCRC’s own 10th anniversary, is expected to field an impressive display of up to 30 steam and diesel locomotives, including visiting locos.
Among those expected to be ‘on shed’, main line operations permitting, are the elusive ‘Royal Scot’ No. 46115 Scots Guardsman, making one of its first public appearances for years in a yet-to-be announced livery. Also present during the weekend are expected to be ‘Jubilee’ No. 45699 Galatea, 8F No. 48151, GWR ‘Hall’ No. 5972 Olton Hall, ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34067 Tangmere. There is a possibility that a very special loco with links back to 1968 could also appear on the Sunday.

Tickets for this unique event are available both on the day and slightly cheaper if purchased in advance, especially for readers of The Railway Magazine! A variety of ticket options are available over the two days, to cover those people visiting the event, those who require access to the Friday evening photoshoot and those who would like early access on the Saturday morning.

On the day:
Adult £15, accompanied child under 16 £5. Note that this is
CASH ONLY, There is no facility to accept debit/credit cards or cheques on the day.

In advance: £13 adult, £5 each accompanied child. Payment can be made by cheque, credit/debit cards – Call West Coast Railways on 01524 732100, or apply by post to: WCRC Open Day, Jesson Way, Carnforth, Lancs LA5 9UR. Last date for advance bookings is July 12th.

For Railway Magazine readers - Special discounted admission is available at £10, but only with the original coupon in the June, July and August issues of The Railway Magazine, or with the coupon shown left (click the coupon to obtain a printable version), in this article. Maximum of two adult tickets per coupon/application.

It's been some weeks since my last blog, but that has been deliberate because of all the planning and arrangements being made, on top of producing The Railway Magazine.

In a previous blog I said that 70013 Oliver Cromwell would be at the open day, but prepartory work on the loco ahead of its test run has got a bit delayed, and there was some doubt over its appearance, and also its part in 1T57 on August 10 to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of steam on British Railways.

Latest additions to the line-up for Carnforth are BR Standard Class 7 Pacifc NO. 70013 'OLIVER CROMWELL' and the Class 40 Preservation Society's No. 40145.

Oliver Cromwell will arrive at Carnforth sometime Saturday evening after a railtour from London Victoria to Manchester, and have pride of place on display on the Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the end of steam.

The Class 40 will be hauled from the East Lancs during the preceeding week.

Also expected is Black Five No. 45407.

With thousands expected to visit the Carnforth open day over the weekend of July 26/27, the organiers are still in negotiation for exhbits and will be right up until the event.

Although because of engineering committments for Network Rail on what is a busy weekend for such work, GBRf or Freightliner have regretfully said they are unable to provide locos, but will reconsider if Network Rail's requirements change.

EWS have offered sky-blue liveried Class 60 No. 60074 'Teenage Spirit' which will be used by the Teenage Cancer Trust to raise funds for an excellent cause, and it is hoped that visitors will contribute generously.

The first Class 86/2 locomotive to be returned to the mainline, No. 86259 Les Ross, has been confirmed as the latest exhibit at the Carnforth Open Weekend
The locomotive will be visiting from its more normal base of Tyseley, adding to the West Coast theme for the event.