1306 MAYFLOWER

Built by the North British Locomotive Co. in Glasgow as part of a batch of 150 ordered in January 1946, entering service with Britsh Railways on the tender and numbered 61306.

The B1s were introduced in 1942 by LNER Engineer Edward Thompson, to replace many ageing engines of similar type, as Sir Nigel Gresley only had B17s under the 4-6-0 heading, but this was not a mixed traffic loco.

61306 was first allocated to Hull Botanic Gardens until June 1959 when it was transferred to Hull Dairycoates and finally in June 1967 to Low Moor, just south of Bradford. On the 30th September 1967 she was withdrawn and eventually sold to private buyers in preservation, being based at Steamtown, Carnforth.

During her service with British Railways she was eventually painted black, but after arriving at Carnforth was repainted in LNER apple green livery once again, which she continues to carry at the present time.

The name "Mayflower" was carried originally by another B1 61379 which worked from Immingham along the ECML mainly through Peterborough. Although this loco was scrapped the name was applied to 1306 during the preservation to continue the association of the two towns Boston (Lincolnshire) and Massachusetts (USA) commemorating the Pilgrim Fathers.

During the time at Carnforth 1306 was used on mainline specials including the Shildon Cavalcade in 1975. In 1978 the loco was purchased by the current owner and moved to the Great Central Railway where she stayed until 1989, when she moved to her old shed at Hull Dairycoates under the HLPG banner, but when the site was bought for development, was moved to Wansford on the 16th May 1991 to complete her overhaul.

Notable records in BR days

• Hauled the last steam hauled "Yorkshire Pullman".
• Hauled the last passenger train from Hull via Market Weighton.

Scheduled Services

Dates given are an indication only and maybe altered by the NVR Ltd for operational purposes, and also the availability of locomotives. Before visiting the railway may we suggest that you telephone the Nene Valley Railway Ltd on 01780 784444 for confirmation of what locomotives are in service.