On Tuesday 30th August, 1264 was unloaded at the Nottingham Heritage Centre, after her long journey down from Pickering.

Under the watchful gaze of staff from Reid Freight Services Ltd, and TBLT Chief Engineer Steve Andrews, 1264 is unloaded at Ruddington (photo by Alf Bousie)

The arrival of 1264 at Ruddington marks yet another new chaper in the loco’s life, but it isn’t the first time that she has paid a visit.

Back in the year 2000 the loco spent several weeks operating not only as 61264 but also in the guise of 61039 ‘Steinbok’ (outshopped at Darlington by the LNER as no. 1039 on 12/12/1947), and as 61248 ‘Geoffrey Gibbs’ (outstopped by the North British Locomotive Company as LNER no. 1248 in 27/10/1947, just over a month before 1264).

In the photos below, she can be seen at various locations on the line between Ruddington and Stanford on Soar, operating on what was then known as the GCR(N). Although NHR services are currently suspended over this section of track, pending the rebuilding of bridge 326 over the A60, it is hoped that by the time the loco is restored to traffic, this line will be operational again, when perhaps the scenes below could be recreated – an authentic loco on an authentic route.

As 61248 ‘Geoffrey Gibbs’, 61264 passes under the occupation bridge on Bunny Moor, year 2000 (photo by John Bagshaw)

As 61039 ‘Steinbok’, 61264 enters East Leake tunnel with a mixed freight, year 2000 (photo by John Bagshaw)

61264 passes over Stanford on Sour viaduct with a mixed freight, with St John the Baptist Church in the background, year 2000 (photo by John Bagshaw)