Liberation from Aviemore Speyside (2010)

In autumn 2010, Queen Anne was liberated from an isolated piece of track beside the disused Aviemore Speyside station.

This was possibly the first time the loco had actually moved in more than 25 years.  It had arrived at the Strathspey Railway in 1980, and was used for a few years before being abandoned.

Queen Anne being lifted from its section of track.

Mind those chains on the cab roof.... Oh well, we can easily straighten that bit out.

Back on the "Rail Network"

The Smith Rodley crane puts QA back onto the track in Aviemore yard, assisted by Colin, Tom and someone else.

QA outside the locoshed coupled to a bigger Ruston - 165HP BR Class 97/6 No. PWM651

QA waits to be put under cover in the locoshed, where it is warm and dry (a bit of poetic licence there).  Note the severe corrosion and the fact that the exhaust pipe is not covered.  But at least the loco is complete.