34052 Lord Dowding
More Shropshire Main Line Steam
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2018
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
29 April 2018
Today it’s the “Welsh Borders Explorer”, hauled by rebuilt Bulleid pacific “Lord Dowding” (in reality, 34046 “Braunton”). Earlier in the week, we thought it would be 46100 “Royal Scot” - not sure why it wasn’t… Whatever the locomotive, steam is very welcome on these lines (and it wasn’t yet another Black 5…). The train followed a circular route from Crewe, via Chester, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton (the Oxley chord) and Stafford. It would be taking water at Telford Central, giving us a chance to see it twice with little effort - passing the site of the sugar factory at Allscott, and hurtling through Albrighton. A most enjoyable little outing!
Near Allscott Near Allscott Albrighton Albrighton