THE visit to the Launceston Steam Railway of Adrian Shooter's Darjeeling locomotive has been a great success, with much interest being shown in the only Darjeeling Himalayan Railway locomotive to have escaped from that which is now a World Heritage Site.
The special two day gala, supported by the Darjeeling Railway Society (DRS), was a considerable success, with nearly a
thousand passengers being carried.
Launceston Station was transformed with stalls, manned by DRS members in Indian costume, selling souvenirs and various items of interest, the proceeds of which will be used to
support educational work in the vicinity of the railway in India.
Local company Nomads decorated the carriages with Indian materials, whilst the café prepared an additional menu of Indian food.
Subsequently, the locomotive has been used on certain timetabled trains, which have been well supported. The official last day of operation was on Tuesday, October 8, after which it was due to return to Oxfordshire. However, this return has been delayed by a week, so there will be a final chance to see the locomotive in operation, and to ride behind it on Thursday, September 17, when it will haul the final train of the day from Launceston Station, at 4pm.
Following this it will enter the railway's workshops to be prepared for its journey by low-loader at the weekend.
Managing Director Nigel Bowman said: "It has been a real experience to have such a locomotive here. The Darje, as we have come to call it, is very different to drive or fire when compared to our Quarry Hunslet locomotives. Also, many passengers have been captivated by it, but in particular, it has been interesting to meet people who knew the railway in India, either before moving to this country, or when working or holidaying abroad.
"I am especially pleased that the gala has helped to support the work of the Darjeeling Railway Society, and we have received a letter of thanks on behalf of the Darjeeling Railway Community Support group for the financial help which will be used especially for the newly opened Shishu Kendra School in Kurseong."
The Launceston Steam Railway is now in its 26th year of operation, but it has no intention of standing still, as there are a number of projects in the pipeline, which should continue to attract visitors to the historic Ancient Capital of Cornwall.