First visit to Lea Line
Keef's Open Day
14 September 2002  
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A significant event in the narrow gauge calendar is the annual open day at Alan Keef Ltd., at Lea Line near Ross-on-Wye. I'd been intending to go for several years, but never quite managed. This year, there was the added incentive of some interesting events on the route of the Bromyard - Leominster line. There was a good weather forecast too! Keef's are pretty well known these days for their work with narrow gauge railways, supplying a variety of new and rebuilt locos and equipment to industrial and pleasure lines at home and abroad. This was reflected in the amazing variety of interesting things present, ranging from the dismantled 3ft gauge 0-6-2T, West Clare Rly no. 5, to a brand new 15" gauge diesel, yet to be
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
painted, for the Difflin Lake Railway (again, in Ireland). The main attraction for steam fans was the presence, in steam and in action on the passenger train (one four-wheeled open coach!), of three locos - Bagnall "Woto" (WB2133 of 1924), and two DeWintons - "Chaloner", built in 1877, and "Taffy", built by Keef in 1994 to the same basic recipe... Perhaps a couple of hours passed by here - great fun! - before I succumbed to an excellent pork and stuffing bap, necessary fuel for the short journey to Bromyard and further interesting things. Keef's are to be commended for making this event possible, and for passing the proceeds - just over £1800 - to the local school and church. Link: Alan Keef Ltd
"Taffy" on the passenger service "Woto" in action on the passenger train Super-power for the passenger service Monorail loco and train, built by AK in 1989 15" gauge AK No 66, for the Difflin Lake Railway 15" gauge Bure Valley Rly no 10, undergoing a rebuild A pair of coffee pots "Digger" Keef's works loco, MR 8882 of 1944 Mixed gauge track near the workshops