Miniature Railway Takes Bride For A Ride
14 Apr 2011
When agricultural engineer James Finch married his sweetheart Catherine (Katie) Favell at St Peters Church, Cowfold in Sussex, he might have guessed that Katie would leave by an unusual mode of transport after the reception at Ingfield Manor School in nearby Billingshurst. After all, when she isn’t teaching at Storrington First School, Katie is a volunteer fireman at the Bluebell Railway, and an experienced miniature steam driver on the Ingfield Manor Railway.
Without too much difficulty, Katie was persuaded to pose for photographs on one of the locomotives, and once behind the controls, the temptation to take the guests for a spin proved too great. With a wave to new husband James, she was off in full wedding dress, with veil floating demurely in the breeze.
The 10 1/4-inch gauge Manor Railway at the Ingfield Manor School was built in the 1970s by teacher Keith Stratton. After Keith’s death, the line was lovingly restored by enthusiasts, and continues to open to the public once a year, carrying fare-paying passengers during the school fete. The steam locomotive, number 4701, is a miniature version of a Great Western heavy freight locomotive, and is one of a pair built in 1982.
It just happens that 4701 is owned by Chris Knibbs, Operations Manager at the Bluebell Railway, and later in the summer, Chris is marrying Christine Nemeth, another girl with a passion for steam. With the reception once again booked for Ingfield Manor, we await developments with interest.
The full story appears in Miniature Railway magazine, issue 16, due for publication 10th May 2011.
