Didcot Railway Centre - 'The Impossible Dream' 19/04/2019

Testament to the effort, hard work and determination shown by volunteers, The Great Western Society - based at the Didcot Railway Centre - have turned the clock back on three locomotives previously thought to be "Impossible Projects": Restoring 6023 "King Edward II", converting 'Number 93' back into a Steam Rail Motor, and a New-Build 'Saint' Class.

While at Barry Island Scrapyard after withdrawal, 6023 suffered a derailment during a shunting move, subsequently leading to the trailing driving wheels being damaged beyond repair. During the initial restoration attempt - commencing in 1985, doubt was cast as to the plausibility casting a brand new wheelset for the locomotive. However, after a change of ownership to the Great Western Society, and as engineering methods developed, a new trailing wheelset was cast in 1994 - a first for standard gauge steam in preservation.

GWR Steam Rail Motor - 93 entered preservation with the GWS in 1970, as Auto Trailer - 212, having been converted from a Steam Rail Motor by the GWR in 1934. In 1998, after substantial research and development, work began on constructing a new Power Bogie to resurrect 93 as a Steam Rail Motor, being completed in 2011.

Finally, 'Saint' 2999 "Lady of Legend" steamed for the first time in 2019, being born out of the ashes of 4900 'Hall' Class - 4942 "Maindy Hall". Since 2004, the GWS have been working painstakingly to back-date/convert the 'Hall' into a 'Saint' Class; the former being a direct development of the latter. Their efforts came to fruition in April, when "Lady of Legend" was launched into public service.

With the trio of "Impossible" projects complete, the Didcot Railway Centre bore host to 'The Impossible Dream' event over the Easter weekend of the 19th-22nd of April; showcasing the three locomotives rubbing shoulders for the first time in preservation. The Steam Rail Motor could be seen in action on the demonstration Branch Line, paired with Auto Trailer - 92, while the 'King' and the 'Saint' alternated for turns on the main demonstration line - with double-headed running late in the day.

Locomotives:
Ex-GWR 6000 'King' Class - 6023 "King Edward II"
GWR 2900 'Saint' Class - 2999 "Lady of Legend"
GWR Steam Rail Motor - 93

All footage filmed on Friday the 19th of April 2019.