Mixed Traction Gala

Diesel Trains All Day – special timetable in operation

On 26 & 27 September we are holding our Mixed Traction Gala with the postponed celebration of our Class 11 “Shirley” 75th Anniversary.

12088 was built at Derby Works in 1951. It worked for British Railways at Aston (Birmingham) then later at Rugby, Bletchley, Springs Branch (Wigan) and Allerton from where it was taken out of service in May 1971. After a period of storage it transferred to the ownership of Johnsons (Chopwell) Ltd and used at the National Coal Board Opencast Executive site at Swalwell in the North East.

By July 1989 it was with the South Yorkshire Preservation Society at Sheffield before returning to Johnsons for work at Widdrington Coal Disposal Point in Northumberland. After transfer to Butterwell Disposal Point it moved to the Aln Valley Railway in December 2012.

Locomotive 12088 (named ‘Shirley’ after the wife of the late AVR member Gordon Hall, who purchased it for the railway) was a member of what became known by British Rail as Class 11.

There will be special celebrations on Saturday with opportunity to

• Chat with the diesel traction team – 11.30-12.30
• Purchase Special 75th Anniversary souvenirs
• Presentation in the museum – Operating the Class 11.

Miniature Railway • Gift Shop • Café • Playground

Site admission is FREE – just pay for train rides!

Tickets available on the day or online!

or purchase on the day from the AVR shop (subject to availability).