Simplex "sounds, thrash and smells" returned to the Leighton area over the weekend of 0711 and 081109. Saturday 0711 saw 24 and "21 Festoon" work a VIP special over the line to celebrate the lines’s 90th nniversary.

Festoon has been based in Leighton since delivery in 1931 and has the honour of working each anniversary special to date. An unexpected bonus working followed on Sun 0811 with 21-Festoon, 24 and 43 triple heading the 1040 Page’s Park-Stonehenge with a full trainload of happy punters enjoying those Simplex sounds.

A superb display of more Simplex working power on sand hoppers followed during the all to brief 30 minutes or so we had at Stonehenge. 43/24 then returned the 1120 Stonehenge - Pages Park South with superb thrash up Marley’s bank…

Thanks to all at the LBNGR for arranging heritage Simplex power on passenger trains once again……Twas fantastic!!!

Festoon, 43 and 24 ease round Vandyke road curve with the 1020 ex Pages Park

The triple header arrives at Stonehenge, Festoon retired for the day here.

Recreating the scene, 30 on the bank with hoppers we all remember clattering around Double Arches

Doing a Deltic impression, much clag from 44 on moving hoppers

Class 1 duty over, 43 and 24 back at the "Park" with the return working from Stonehenge. Steam then took over for the remaining turns.

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