ONE NEW-BUILD Great Western 4‐6‐0 stood in for another at the East Somerset Railway’s 50th anniversary steam gala on March 16/17.
The star guest had been intended to be the 81st Collett ‘Grange’, No. 6880 Betton Grange, with the gala touted as its long-awaited public debut in steam, after its original planned premiere at the Battlefield Line’s gala in February was postponed owing to ongoing work to complete the two-cylinder 4‐6‐0. However, with Betton Grange still not ready, its place was taken by 2019-built ‘Saint’ No. 2999 Lady of Legend, courtesy of Didcot Railway Centre.
The replica Churchward 4‐6‐0 worked alongside ESR residents ‘Large Prairie’ No. 4110 and Ivatt Class 2 2‐6‐0 No. 46447, while Andrew Barclay 0‐4‐0ST Works No. 1719 ‘Lady Nan’ did ‘Driver for a Tenner’ duties at Cranmore.
ESR spokesman Phil Wilson said: “The gala was a tremendous success in pretty much every way. It is hard to judge what impact not having the ‘Grange made’, although I think it is safe to say sales would have been higher for an all-new loco, as opposed to one that has been in service for five years and has, during that time, become well-travelled.
“The final ticket sales were very sim
