The gala last month gave a rare opportunity to see 0-6-0ST No.1539 “Derek Crouch” out in the open, part-way through its cosmetic restoration.
This should be quite a smart little loco when finished!
…However there is a fair way to go yet. The cleaned up but unrestored side shows quite a contrast to the work that has been completed.
Also out in the yard at the gala was Allan’s almost complete BR MK1 TSO 4466. Lately it had been shoved up in the damp cutting leading to the tunnel and was quickly deteriorating into a bit of a state externally – I was very pleased to see it had been extracted and cleaned up, although beyond that I am not sure now how much more work is required to see this coach back into traffic. Whilst BR Mk1’s are disliked by some (presumably due to their ubiquity on heritage lines), there is no denying that they are genuine steam-era coaches which owe much to pre-war British coach design, both inside and out. In my view they are of attractive appearance, comfortable, and a well-turned out Mk1 can offer an excellent heritage experience to passengers – very different to anything running in normal service on the main lines today.
A Personal View of the NVR 