RARE SIGHT AS PRESERVED STEAM LOCO VISITS THE BRIGG AREA

There was a whiff of nostalgia in the air when the Brigg area was visited by a preserved steam locomotive yesterday (Saturday, August 28) which is a rare sight these days.
B1 class 4-6-0 No. 61306 Mayflower brought a heritage train of railway enthusiasts from Essex and East Anglia to Lincoln on Saturday (August 28).
Having dropped off passengers in the city, the engine accompanied the empty carriages and a heritage diesel to Barnetby via Market Rasen, North Kelsey, Howsham and Wrawby Junction.
The carriages were moved between platforms and the train spent some time in the railway village before returning along the same route to Lincoln in readiness for the return journey.
During the afternoon it twice passed under the A1084 Bigby High Road flyover bridge - just a couple of miles from Brigg.
Barnetby resident Lee Fielden has kindly supplied these pictures showing the 1940s-built 'steamer' at Barnetby station yesterday afternoon.
B1 locomotives worked on lines in North Lincolnshire up to 1966 when British Rail closed its Immingham and Frodingham depots to steam and left diesels (including the Class 47s) to take sole charge.
Being based elsewhere, No. 61307 last worked for BR in September 1967 before its withdrawal and subsequent preservation. It acquired the name Mayflower (remembering the Pilgrim Fathers).
More than 400 B1s were built but only two have survived in working order. The others went to scrapyards to be broken down and their metal components recycled.
The Steam Dreams company organised Saturday's trip to Lincoln. View details here...

ABOVE: The steam loco in platform one at Barnetby station, photographed by Lee Fielden (from the footbridge) with the very aptly-named Whistle & Flute pub in the background!