USATC S160 - on the Polar Express

Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Chris and I saw our first steam loco since moving onto the Wensleydale branch today. Most unusually it was in the form of a USATC S160 which is actually prototypical for the line as they came through on troop trains during the war.

It's heading up this year's Christmas special on the Wensleydale Railway, The Polar Express. It came as quite a surprise to be honest because our neighbours had told us that in previous years that have run the Polar Express trains diesel hauled.

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Rob Pulham

Western Thunderer
Good to see it in black livery. As an ‘onery (Texan) Yank I really like ‘em.

I must admit since seeing the one that was cosmetically restored at Locomotion a couple of years ago, they have grown on me.

There was one stored out of use on the NYMR at Grosmont for quite a few years, which I saw quite a bit, but I have to confess it didn't really spark much interest at the time.
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
There appear to be three (!) at the GCR Nottingham, but as that info is taken from Wikipedia....... Certainly there is one under restoration and apparently the others are providing spares. As I've not been there for many years I couldn't say whether this is accurate although I can confirm that one is being stripped for restoration at the moment.

Brian
 
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