Joan’s back!

“Joan” (TDA Civil No 1, 1997) has not run since its 10 year boiler certification expired in 2017. A full overhaul, incorporating a number of significant repairs and improvements in addition to the boiler work has just been completed, and Joan will pull its first public passenger trains on the Golden Valley Light Railway on Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July.

Golden Valley Light Railway is part of the Midland Railway-Butterley, and can be accessed either by train from Butterley station (see the MR-B website for train times) or on foot to Newlands Inn station (where there is no public parking) at Golden Valley. Trains depart the Butterley Park station of GVLR at 11:50, 12:30, 13:15, 14:00, 14:45 & 15:30. Departures from Newlands Inn are in all cases 15 minutes later.

Discounted GVLR tickets are available when buying your MR-B tickets either on line or at the Butterley station booking office when you arrive.

“Joan”, constructed as a retirement project by TDA Civil and completed in 1997, has previously worked at the Amerton Farm Light Railway and visited Launceston & Statfold. It was built in accordance with the early design principles of W.G. Bagnall of Stafford where TDAC served his apprenticeship. It has nominally 6” cylinders (actually bored to only 5 ½”) and is a 0-4-2 IST (Inverted Saddle Tank).

The GVLR operates diesel
and occasional steam hauled passenger trains
during the Summer

O&K7529 hauling a passenger train in the Country Park

Newly repainted Battery Loco WR5 "Baby Jane