Geograph - photograph every grid square

A winter steam gala day on this preserved line on the former Great Central Railway route. No. 31806 is a Southern Railway Maunsell designed U class 2-6-0 tender engine built in 1928. The U class had an interesting story with a total of 50 being built of which 20 were actually rebuild of the K class 2-6-4T 'River' class. This class disgraced itself with rough riding and an accident that led to its withdrawal and the advice to rebuild the class as tender engines. There are four surviving U class locomotives and 31806 is the only rebuilt example. It is normally based on the Swanage Railway.