Gala day on the RLR
Manifold steam at Rudyard Lake
27 June 2004  
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© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2011
Not many miles from Rudyard Lake lies the trackbed of the late Leek and Manifold Railway, which sadly closed forever more than 70 years ago. Its motive power consisted of a fine pair of 2-6-4T locomotives built by Kitsons on Leeds. Today, a 1/3 scale replica of E R Calthrop would be revisiting the line - for the annual Steam Gala.
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
"E R Calthrop" poses at Rudyard "Merlin" departs from Rudyard station Sunlight, shade and "Merlin" Passing loop - Excalibur and E R Calthrop "E R Calthrop" heads the 4.20pm
The line has been covered in these pages before - suffice it to say this was a "train every 20 minutes" service - using residents "Merlin", "Excalibur" and the visitor, with trains passing in the loop half-way along the line, and changing engines on arrival at Rudyard station, the line's HQ. So without further ado, here are a few photos and video clips of the day's action... Link: Rudyard Lake Steam Railway
Rudyard Lake Steam Lineside action with E R Calthrop, Merlin and Excalibur