Battlefield Line Railway 13th July 2013

At 2200 on Friday night (12th July) it came to light that 31101 would be working the full days service at the Battlefield Line Railway (Shackerstone). This was due to the usual loco, 73114, suffering due to the prolonged hot weather and not being fit for traffic.

Despite the last minute gen there was a decent turn-out for ‘101, which performed well, made all the right noises and without so much of a hint of a problem; despite the 30+ degree heat! It was good to hear ‘101 again; it had been almost 5 years since my last visit to Shackerstone; ‘101 spending most of that time out of service and only having returned to service within the last 12 months. Unfortunately 31101 isn’t used much at Shackerstone these days.

The buffet at Shenton provided everyone with cold drinks & ice creams on every trip and a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all.

31101 worked the following:

1115 Shackerstone – Shenton, 1150 Shenton – Shackerstone, 1230 Shackerstone – Shenton, 1305 Shenton – Shackerstone, 1345 Shackerstone – Shenton, 1420 Shenton – Shackerstone, 1500 Shackerstone – Shenton, 1535 Shenton – Shackerstone, 1615 Shackerstone – Shenton, 1650 Shenton – Shackerstone