The Epping Ongar Railway has announced that London Midland Scottish & Railway Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45690 ‘Leander' will make its final trips of its current boiler ticket at the Epping Ongar Railway this coming spring.
Leander will be visiting the railway at the same time as the new build Great Western Railway Saint No. 2999 ‘Lady of Legend' from the Didcot Railway Centre.
On the 27 and 28 April ‘Lady of Legend' will star, running with Hall No.4953 “Pitchford Hall” for a special “Saint and Hall Weekend” showcasing the two locomotives, which will include the pair double heading.
Although similar in appearance, the Halls were the successor to the Saints in steam days., this will be a great opportunity to see and compare the differences between two engines.
Both ‘Leander' and ‘Lady of Legend' will appear at the not to be missed “The Festival of Steam” event which has replaced the previously advertised Steam Gala and takes place over the first Bank Holiday weekend in May from the 4 to 6 of May, which will also include small prairie No. 5521 (L150) in London Transport Maroon livery and Hawthorn Leslie saddle tank No.3437 “Isabel”.
During the festival, an intensive timetable service will be in operation with evening services on the Saturday of the event.
Leander's final outing will be on the 11 and 12 May at the “Jubilee Farewell” event.
Leander will be working for the last time under its current boiler certificate, alongside one of the home fleet locomotives.
On Saturday 11 May, the Epping Ongar Railway hopes to be able to offer the chance for members of the public to take to the controls of the LMS Jubilee, before it works its final steam services on Sunday 12 May.
Further details and tickets will be available shortly on the Epping Ongar Railway website at https://www.eorailway.co.uk/events/
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