When Traction Magazine, the East Lancashire Railway and EWS got together to stage a heritage diesel gala, they decided it would be the biggest and best of its kind ever.
Eight months of planning culminated in the 'EWS Classic Traction' event being staged at the East Lancs Railway from September 10th - 12th 1999.
It featured no fewer than eight visiting EWS freight locomotives, some of which had been dragged off the scrapline while others were living on borrowed time.
Not only had all eight locos never operated over a private railway before, but it was the first time withdrawn locomotives had been resurrected for such a show.
The three-day event featured this amazing EWS motive power line-up:
31110 repainted back into BR green livery to mark the loco's 40th anniversary and making its public debut following the fitting of headcode discs and 'Traction Magazine' nameplates.
33202 EWSs sole surviving 'Slim' resurrected from store at Immingham complete with 'The Burma Star' nameplates and Eastleigh depot plaques.
37351 was chosen on account of its spectacular acrid exhaust and the fact that it was LOUD. It even had its former 37002 number and black headcode boxes re-applied for the event.
37906 emerging from store at Immingham suitably named 'Star of the East'. Without its exhaust silencers, this loco was simply awesome as it entertained passengers with its famous 'flame throwing' exploits.
47306 'The Sapper' was resurrected from the Old Oak Common scrapline where it had been dumped for nine months. The Saltley crew even spruced up the former Tinsley type 4 for its farewell run.
56006 making its public debut in retro BR blue livery, the Rumanian grid spent three days screaming up hill and down dale hauling a rake of matching blue and grey Mark 1s.
73129 & 73133 going boldly where no EDs had gone before, these locos were undoubtedly the event's most bizarre visitors as they became the first Class 73s to venture so far north.
This DVD features all the action from all three days as the veteran locomotives produced a series of spectacular and entertaining performances which produced thrash and clag in equal measure.
As well as featuring three mini Wired For Sound cab rides on board 37906, 47306 and 73133, there is exclusive behind the scenes footage from Immingham and Old Oak Common depots as the locos are resurrected and prepared for their moment of glory and includes the repaints of 31110 and 56006.
If you were there you will know what to expect. If you weren't you'll wish you had been!
The footage in this DVD has not only been digitally re-mastered for improved picture quality, but also includes additional material not used in the original VHS version of the programme.
Produced by - Locomaster Profiles
Running time - 110 Minutes
Colour film
DVD only
