Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Spirit of Sandringham

We are back to normal again and fully functioning. Today's post, 17 September 2024, features a new build 4-6-0 locomotive, currently under construction for the 'B17' Steam Locomotive Trust. The locomotive will carry number and name 61673 Spirit of Sandringham. The 'B17' locomotive, No.61600 Sandringham, is pictured on a 1000-piece jigsaw from JHG Jigsaws (Grovely) as it passes through Wolferton Station. The jigsaw is titled Sandringham at Home and the artist is Malcolm Root. This painting and a second by Malcolm titled Kilverton Hall at March Station can be viewed at www.b17steamloco.com Wolferton railway station, in Norfolk, opened in 1862 to serve the village of the same name. At around the same time the local Sandringham Estate was acquired by Queen Victoria for the Prince of Wales (later, King Edward VII). The station was then used on private or ceremonial occasions by the Royal Family, heads of state and for important politicians etc., to disembark on their way to stay at Sandringham House. Because of the latter, the station became known as a 'Royal' station; such railway journeys continued until the station’s closure in 1969. Subsequently, Wolferton station was converted for use as a museum and is currently preserved in private hands. The signal box and part of the station are ‘listed’ buildings.