Having spent the previous week completing its programme of light test runs, 60532 "Blue Peter" would progress to its loaded test runs on the Severn Valley Railway, taking charge of a load for the first time in over 20 years.
60532 was built in 1948, serving British Railways for 18 years before being withdrawn in 1966. The sole surviving A2 Class pacific, 60532 was secured for preservation by Geoff Drury, and subsequently looked after by the North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group. A polarised stint on the mainline would follow, concluding in 2001, with the pacific seeing use on heritage lines for a further year before being withdrawn in late 2002. After periods on display, and a failed attempt to fund an overhaul, "Blue Peter" was sold in 2014 to the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust; a forerunner of Locomotive Services Ltd. An overhaul began in 2015, with the locomotive emerging complete in early 2024. 60532 was delivered by British Railways on the 25th of March 1948, with these loaded test runs taking place 76 years later to the week, and form a crucial step in returning 60532 to the mainline.
60532 is fitted with a New Zealand 5-tone chime whistle, as well as retaining its standard LNER whistle. The chime was presented to Geoff Drury and fitted during its overhaul at Docaster in the 1970s. It was originally mounted vertically above the firemans' side smoke deflector, with its position being altered later by the NELPG. Geoff saw the chime as "a fun addition that finally made the loco sound the size and power the engine actually was". During this overhaul, the whistle has been mounted horizontally above the same deflector, and temporarily tuned to replicate the sound of NSWGR C38 Class - 3801. The NZ chime is frequently mislabelled as an American chime, with similar mislabellings surrounding its fitment date. Information kindly supplied by Locomotive Services Group.
Alongside the A2, the Severn Valley would front their Timetable B, which features four service trains working between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. The result would be three steam locomotives in action over the line, rubbing shoulders with a Class 46, and a Class 108 DMU.
Locomotives:
BR(E) A2 Class - 60532 "Blue Peter"
BR Class 108 DMU - M51941+E59250+E52064
BR Class 46 - 182
BR Standard Class 4MT - 75069
GWR 4900 'Hall' Class - 4930 "Hagley Hall"
00:00 - 60532 Foley Park
01:32 - Class 108 DMU Tenbury Wall
01:57 - 60532 Tenbury Wall
03:10 - 60532 Haye Bridge
05:08 - 182 Haye Bridge
06:46 - 60532 Highley foot crossing
08:27 - 75069 Highley
10:17 - 60532 Eardington Bank
11:46 - 4930 Orchard Crossing
13:01 - 60532 Northwood
All footage filmed on Tuesday the 26th of March 2024.