STANDARD CLASS 4 AT BRECHIN!

The Caledonian Railway has secured the use of a large ‘guest steam engine’ for use on its services in late summer, British Railways 2-6-4 Standard Class 4 tank, number 80105. Normally based at the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway in West Lothian, the engine will remain at Brechin for a period of four weeks beginning August 17th. This visit will be the first working of an ex-BR steam engine on the Brechin line since 1967.

The ‘Standard’ is a type of locomotive once commonplace in the Angus area throughout the 1950s and 60s, although there is no record of one ever working the Brechin branch. The engine will be put to work on trains every weekend during its stay at Brechin, with the first weekend designated a ‘Dandy and Beano funday’ in deference to the sponsors of the locomotive’s movement to Brechin, DC Thomson & Co. Thomson’s publish the Beano and Dandy comics as well as Scottish newspapers the Dundee Courier, Evening Telegraph and Sunday Post.

The following weekend, the August bank holiday, a steam gala is planned, of which full details will be available shortly. The weekend after this – September 1st and 2nd – is kicked off with the visit of a major railtour from Pathfinder tours, although this is scheduled to be handled by our class 26 & 27 diesels.

The locomotive is available for photographic charters while at Brechin – any interested persons wishing to arrange such an event should call Simon Hickman on 07951 016226, or email calrail@engineer.com. The Caledonian has a large collection of freight stock, including a train of 12 boxvans and a large train of ‘warflat’ and ‘rectank’ wagons.