Scenic Railcar Weekend 27th & 28th September 2008

The second Scenic Railcar Weekend, held on the 27th & 28th September 2008, was an extraordianry event for the group, with many "firsts" in preservation. Class 116/118 hybrid unit M51131/W51321 was hired in for the event from the Battlefield Railway, being reunited with M50455/M50517 when working in multiple. This was not the first time this has happened, as the units had worked together during the "Railcar 50" event at the Severn Valley Railway in 2004. What is believed to be the first crossing of Tail Loads in preservation was staged at Consall when the 116/8 with two freight wagons crossed the 104 with a GUV. Resident Sandite car ADB977554 (M56182) was running demonstartion trains with 37075, the first time it had operated in almost 15 years, sporting a fresh coat of BR Blue. Considering it was an extremely quick job to add something extra for the event, the vehicle looked superb. M50455 & M50517 were of course in action, with new arrival 901001 on display at Cheddleton with other Diesel Locos. However the main feature of the event (what it will go down in the CVR's history for) was of course the first public runs down to Oakamoor Sand Sidings, a further two miles of the current operating terminus of Froghall.