Railway Herald
Still looking smart after its repaint into G&W livery late last year, Class 59/2 No. 59203 enters the severe curve round the early 19thC pumping station at Crofton with the Acton - Merehead Quarry empties on 23rd February 2021. The pumps were required to supply water to the top pound of the Kennet & Avon canal as it breasted the summit at Savernake. The later railway had to squeeze by the installation, requiring a retaining wall which has only recently fully re-apppeared after none too sympathetic clearance of lineside vegetation. The original steam engines are still worked on operating weekends although the canal is normally supplied by a modern electric pump.
Tonybee
