Railway Herald
On 5th April 2014 LMS 4-6-0 5MT No. 44871 works hard leading 'The Central Wales Explorer' out of Knighton following a stop to replenish its water tanks, it is seen approaching the public foot crossing and bridge over the River Teme at Panpunton, it is climbing at the rate of 1 in 194. The excursion had the head-code 1Z89, which had a scheduled departure time from Manchester Victoria of 07.20 and it was to travel southbound over the Heart of Wales line and then eastwards to Cardiff Pengam Sidings where a diesel would return the train and its passengers to Manchester via Hereford. However, all did not go to plan as departure from Manchester was 52 minutes late and featured 45407 in addition to 44871; at Warrington Bank Quay 45407 was declared a failure and removed from the train leaving 44871 to soldier on to Crewe where a West Coast Railways Class 47 (47245) was added to the rear of the consist to provide additional power. As the train passed the photographer he noted that the Class 47 was also working hard.
Stuart Warr
