The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester (MOSI) normally operates a steam train on Saturdays and Sundays. But, during school holidays, it attempts to run more frequently. Over Easter 2013, volunteers were arranged to work on 17 consecutive days.
I was the driver on Friday, 5th April 2013. Earlier in the week, the service had been operated by the 'Planet' replica with the two blue coaches. However, on the Friday we used 'Agecroft Number 1' so that 'Planet' could be readied for its imminent visit to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, as part of their 'Great North Steam Fair'.
The previous week, I'd been Operating Officer when we'd also used 'Agecroft Number 1', paired with a restored, elderly 4-wheel North London Railway 2nd Class Coach currently on loan from the Furness Railway Trust. On that occasion, we'd completed the train with a 20-ton Brake Van.
On the 5th April, we again used the North London Railway coach but, this time, with one of MOSI's 'semi-open' blue coaches which gave us extra seats for passengers. Vince was fireman, David was Guard and Peter carried out the Operating Officer duty. The weather was dry but cold. I was surprised at how many visitors were keen to ride the train, despite the cold, and we were kept busy all day.
My Pictures
Easter 2013 Trains at MOSI.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Easter Week at the Museum of Science and Industry
