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No longer based at Alston |
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No longer based at Alston |
Locomotive No. 1 - Hibberd 4 wheel DM �Phoenix�
Locomotive Details:-
This diesel mechanical locomotive was one of a batch of a �1939 type� built by F. C. Hibberd & Co, Park Royal, London. This batch of locomotives were constructed between 1941 and 1946, with works numbers from 2513 to 2572. The works number of this locomotive is possibly either 2523 or 2532. It was originally fitted with a 20 h.p. National, 2-cylinder diesel engine, driving a constant mesh, 2 speed gear-box, with final chain drive, giving maximum speeds of 3.5 and 8 mph, with a tractive effort of 13,751 lbs.History and Preservation:-
The early history of this locomotive is unknown. It was acquired by Norwest Construction, Netherton, Lancashire, (Plant No. DL461), who re-engined it in 1963 with a 40 h.p. Ford 4D 4-cylinder diesel engine. It was sold in 1975 to the Rossendale Forest Railway Society, Lancashire. Following the failure of this scheme, it was bought in 1979 by the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society and transported to Alston. Here it was completely rebuilt, including a full mechanical overhaul, widening of the footplate, fabrication of a new cab and bodywork, and the fitting of air brakes. It hauled the first South Tynedale Railway passenger train on 30th July 1983 and was the mainstay of the service to Gilderdale until the end of the 1988 season. It has since been sold to a member of the Knotend Light Railway and was transported from Alston and was transported to the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum, near Keswick, Cumbria on 16th March 2002.
Photo above: Hibberd diesel locomotive No. 1 �Phoenix� at Gilderdale Station with a passenger train in 1987. Photograph by Paul Rylance.
Photo below: Hibberd diesel locomotive No.1 �Phoenix� loaded onto a lorry, about to leave Alston on Saturday 16th March 2002. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Hibberd diesel locomotive �Phoenix� leaves Alston:-
Hibberd Planet 4 wheel diesel mechanical locomotive No. 1 �Phoenix� was loaded onto a lorry and left the railway on Saturday 16th March 2002 after its sale to a member of the Knotend Light Railway.This locomotive was used on the railway during the first years of passenger train services between 1983 and 1990, although it had been out of service awaiting an overall of its 40 horse power Ford Tractor engine, it was underpowered and could manage only the haulage of three passenger carriages at a time. With a Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 100 horse power diesel locomotive No. 4 �Naworth� now available for passenger service and a Hunslet 0-4-0 No. 9 diesel locomotive which can be used in emergency in service, these have made the Hibberd locomotive redundant and surplus to requirements, as the other diesel locomotives are more capable of carrying fully loaded five coach trains.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 2.75 tons. Length = 8 ft 6� in. (2,610 mm). Width = 3 ft 10 in. (1,168 mm). Height to bonnet = 5 ft 3� in. (1,613 mm).
Wheel diameter = 1 ft 5� in. (451 mm). Wheelbase = 2 ft 8 in. (813 mm).Rebuilt dimensions:-
Weight = 4 tons.� Length = 12 ft 0 in. (3,658 mm). Width = 4 ft 9 in. (1,448 mm). Height to top of cab = 8 ft 5 in. (2,565 mm).
Wheel diameter = 1 ft 5 in. (432 mm). Wheelbase = 3 ft 1 in. (940 mm).Livery (whilst based at Alston):-
Blue bodywork, black frames, red wheels and buffer beams.
Locomotive No. 2 - Hudson-Hunslet 4 wheel DM �Ayle�
Photo: Hudson-Hunslet 4-wheel diesel mechanical locomotive No. 2 �Ayle� at Gilderdale Station with a passenger train in September 1987. Behind it is a 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive No.8 �The Peril�, which is now based at the Leadhills and Wanlochhead Railway in South West Scotland. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Locomotive Details:-
This diesel mechanical locomotive was built in 1942, works no. 2607. It retained its original 20 horse power, 2 cylinder Ailsa Craig RFS2 diesel engine, driving a Hunslet 2 speed gear-box with final chain drive, giving maximum speeds of 3.5 and 7 m.p.h. and tractive effort of 1,820 lbs. (848 kg).
History and Preservation:-
Most of the profile that follows was compiled from the article entitled �S.T.R. Locomotive Profile: No. 2 �Ayle� � by Phil Champion, which was published in Tynedalesman newsletter No.94, May 1992 issue.
Built for the War Department, the locomotive worked at an unknown military location in Cumbria. The last reported industrial user of this locomotive was the Stirlingshire Brickworks, prior to purchase by Mr. R. P. Morris, Longfield, Kent, for his preservation project. The movement of the locomotive from Alan Keef Ltd., light railway engineers of Cote, Oxfordshire to Mr Morris c/o Pen-Yr-Orsedd Slate Quarry Company, Nantlle, Gwynedd, was recorded on 20th July 1976, as originally a Narrow Gauge Museum was to have been established there. It was later transferred to the Narrow Gauge Railway Centre, at Gloddfa Ganol, Blaenau Ffestiniog on 20th May 1978.
It was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group, which was an association of South Tynedale Railway members in North East England in early 1980, it arrived at Alston on 29th January 1980.
After arrival at Alston it was completely rebuilt, including a full mechanical overhaul, the fitting of a raised cab and electric starter motor, the injectors were overhauled and a new exhaust system was fabricated. New works plates were also obtained. Although the locomotive was small, it was propelled by an Ailsa Craig two cylinder diesel engine and the locomotive weighed three and a half tons in working order. When seen in May 1980, the locomotive was under a tarpaulin on the first lengths of light rail laid alongside the station platform.
On 17th August 1980, it emerged to earn a place in history by being the first locomotive to run on the South Tynedale Railway, when it worked under its own power over the test track laid alongside the full length of the Alston platform.
Further work continued leading up to the locomotive being in regular use. In mid-December 1980 the new cab was being painted. On 31st January 1981, it hauled a works train comprising a skip wagon and Hibberd diesel locomotive along the couple of hundred yards of track now laid. The locomotive saw use on works trains over the following two years, punctuated by short spells out of use for the fitting of appropriate parts. In June 1983, No.2 operated again after being reconditioned.
With the opening of the South Tynedale Railway likely in the summer holidays more work was done on No.2. At the end of June it received an orange undercoat, followed by a red oxide primer a few weeks later and finally a top coat of red. On the railway�s opening day on 30th July 1983, Ayle was ticking over in Alston station in case it was needed to assist the hibberd diesel locomotive with the passenger trains. While No.1 Phoenix hauled the passenger trains, No.2 diod see some use at weekends, including a run to Gilderdale Halt.
It was in 1984 when the Hunslet really came into use as a reserve passenger locomotive. In mid-May that year, air brakes were fitted and tested. When Phoenix failed at the start of the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, Ayle came to the rescue. Trains were doubled-headed, with No.1 providing the power for the air brakes as No.2�s were not yet complete. An electric start motor was also fitted and the locomotive�s owners and the South Tynedale Railway concluded an owner/operator agreement at this time.
Whilst the Hibberd locomotive continued as the mainstay of passenger services, No.2 saw some use on passenger trains during that summer and autumn, when its red livery matched the coaches nicely. Earlier doubts by some of its ability to haul a train proved unfounded and in mid-August a new whistle was fitted.
Some non-public runs were undertaken by No.2 such as on 21st July. On this occasion the 12.15 pm train having returned from Gilderdale, the Hibberd locomottive was detached so that No.2 could haul it to the shed yard for refuelling. After the last train of the day had returned, No.2 hauled Henschel locomotive S.T.R. No. 6, from the Alston station loop headshunt, through the loop, past the level crossing, then along the platform and back into the loop. This was to check No.6�s platform clearances and that its motion was working.
Progress on completing the engine shed enabled No.2 to be kept under cover from the start of 1985 along with most of the other stock, rather than being stabled in the Alston station area. The nameplates Ayle were fitted and on 9th March the opportunity for display to a wider audience was provided by the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway 150 celebrations, when the locomotive was placed on public display at the Hexham goods yard. Three weeks later, back at Alston, it was noted minus nameplates but being used to power drills.
A mixture of works and passenger use followed during that season. On 20th April it hauled a works train consisting of two Hudson 4 wheel wagons, and with Phoenix providing assistance from the rear, it proceeded along the line past Gilderdale Halt and onto the extension. Other duties included shunting in the engine shed yard prior to ballasting, then hauling a train of skips and 4 wheel Hudson wagons to be loaded with ballast.
Although Ayle saw the same kinds use of use in 1986, it also took part in several special events. On Members Day on 28th June, it not only ably deputised for Phoenix on the 12.00 noon train when this locomotive was temporarily defective, but also banked a special members train hauled by the Hibberd locomotive along the extension.
The first public South Tynedale Railway steam services on Sunday 3rd August 1986 were made possible by coupling Ayle between Peter Pan and the train to provide the air braking. On the first Steanm Enthusiasts Weekend, held on the following weekend No.2 double-headed trains with No.1 and with Peter Pan.
Generally speaking, 1987 was not an eventful year for Ayle. However, a repaint in April was followed by the fitting of South Tynedale Railway crests to the cab during the next month. These were being applied to the other locomotives too. On 3rd July, Ayle ably handled a train along the 1� miles to the recently opened Gilderdale station, performing on this occasion without its radiator cap on as it had blocked the overflow.
Like most �preserved railways�, the South Tynedale found that the original smaller locomotives needed to be superseded after several years useful service as train loads increased. The commissioning of Hudswell Clarke diesel locomotive No.4 Naworth, plus the use of the yellow No.8 The Peril meant less work for No.2. It still made appearances on the Steam Enthusiasts weekends when it took part in the cavalcade and paired up with Peter Pan in 1988 and with Montalban in 1989 to provide the air braking for trains. Use is also thought to have been made of Ayle on the annual autumn Diesel Day held in the late 1980s.
A move to the carriage shed along with other disel locomotives was made in 1990. Ayle double-headed two return journeys with Irish Mail on that year�s Steam Enthusiasts Weekend. No such use was made of the locomotive in 1991. In conclusion, No.2�s use on the South Tynedale Railway had dropped considerably in the last few years as it was now too small to handle increased train loadings.
In November 1991 Ayle was transported up the South Tyne valley for its new owner Mr. Bob Cant, who had bought it for the private Slaggyford Light Railway. Ironically, it has reached Slaggyford before any of its former South Tynedale Railway colleagues - albeit at a pleasant riverside location on the opposite side of the village from the old British Rail trackbed and station.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 3.5 tons. Length = 8 ft 3 in. (2,515 mm). Width = 3 ft 6 in. (1,067 mm). Height to bonnet = 5 ft (1,524 mm).
Wheel diameter = 1 ft 6 in. (457 mm). Wheelbase = 3 ft. (914 mm).Livery (whilst based at Alston): Red bodywork, black frames, red buffer beams.
Locomotive No. 5 - Simplex Motor Rail 4 wheel DM
Locomotive Details:-
This diesel mechanical locomotive was built by Motor Rail of Bedford, under their �Simplex� trade name in 1967, works no. 11297. It was fitted with a 60 horse power, 3 cylinder Dorman 3LB diesel engine, driving a 3 speed gear-box with final chain drive.History and Preservation:-
It worked at British Industrial Sand, Middleton Towers, Norfolk, as fleet No. 24 until 1978, prior to being bought by the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway. It was sold to A. Keefe, Cote, Bampton, Oxfordshire and then bought by the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society in 1982 for use during the Manpower Services Commission schemes from 1980 to 1983. As it required a major overhaul, and had seen little use in later years, it was sold to the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway in 1990.Photo: Simplex Motor Rail 4-wheel diesel mechanical locomotive No.5 in action on a freight train at Alston on 29th April 1989. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 7.5 tons.Livery (whilst based at Alston): Light blue central bodywork with red buffer beam ends and black underframe.
Locomotive No. 7 - Hunslet 0-4-0 DM
Locomotive Details:-
This 0-4-0 diesel mechanical locomotive was built by Hunslet Engine Co., of Leeds in 1966, works no. 6619. It was fitted with driving cabs at each end, a 70 horse power, 4 cylinder Gardner 4LW diesel engine, Hunslet clutch driving a Hunslet 2 speed, air change, gear-box. The final drive is by jackshaft and coupling rods, giving maximum speeds of 5 and 10 m.p.h..History and Preservation:-
It was built as a flameproof underground mines locomotive for the National Coal Board and used at Knockshinnoch Castle Colliery, Ayrshire, as Plant No. 9303/0057, until 1968. Transferred to Whittle Colliery, Northumberland, for service use until 1976. Rebuilt at Ashington workshops and sent to Seaham driver training centre in 1978. Transferred to Ashington Central Workshops in 1982, withdrawn in 1986, and finally purchased by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group, with the possibility of conversion similar to Hudswell-Clarke diesel locomotive No. 4 �Naworth�. As it was not ideally suited to conversion for passenger use at Alston, it was sold to the Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway in 1989.Photo: Hunslet 0-4-0 diesel mechanical locomotive No.7 in action at Alston Station in 1986. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 12 tons.Livery (whilst based at Alston): White with yellow buffer beams, yellow and black wasp strip ends, red coupling rods.
Locomotive No. 8 - Hunslet 4 wheel DH �The Peril�
Locomotive Details:-
This 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive was rebuilt in 1975, works no. 6347. It was fitted with a 60 h.p., 6 cylinder Perkins 6354 diesel engine, connected to a torque convertor driving a single speed Hunslet gear-box, with hydraulic clutches for forward and reverse. Final drive by chain. Maximum speed 7 m.p.h., tractive effort 4,750 lbs. (2,155 kg).History and Preservation:-
Used from new, by the National Coal Board for shunting duties in the yards of Eppleton Colliery, Co. Durham, where it was designated the Plant No. 20/180/4. It was withdrawn from service on the closure of the colliery, it was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1986. On arrival at Alston it was fully overhauled and fitted with a larger cab and air brakes. It was sold to the Lowthers Railway Society at Leadhills, South West Scotland in 1989, where it operates trains on the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway in a new blue livery and has been named �Clyde�.Photo: Hunslet 4-wheel diesel hydraulic locomotive No.8 �The Peril�, photographed at Alston Station in September 1987, this locomotive is now based at the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway in South West Scotland. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-
Weight = 8 tons. Wheel diameter = 2 ft. (610 mm). Wheelbase = 4 ft. (1,219 mm).Livery (whilst based at Alston): Yellow body with yellow and black wasp stripe buffer beams and black underframes. Later repainted with blue bodywork, since based at the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway.
Locomotive No.13 0-4-0 diesel mechanical �Tiny Tim�.
Locomotive Details:-
This diesel mechanical locomotive of the �Tiny Tim� class was built to replace pit ponies in collieries. It was constructed in 1958, by the Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds, as works No. 5222. This class of locomotive was never successful in the United Kingdom, but many were exported. This is the only original locomotive of three known survivors in the U.K.. It was based at Alston on loan from the Ayle Colliery Company, Alston, from 1989 until 2004, when it was transported back to the colliery.The locomotive is fitted with a 15 h.p., 2-cylinder Enfield air-cooled diesel engine, with Hunslet clutch, driving a single speed gearbox. The final drive is by coupling rods, giving a maximum speed of 3 mph and tractive effort of 955 lbs (433 kg).
Photo: Hunslet 0-4-0 �Tiny Tim� at Alston Station in 1988. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Dimensions and livery:-
Original dimensions:-Weight = 2 tons 5 cwt.
Length = 6 ft 0 in. (1,829 mm).
Width = 3 ft 0 in. (914 mm).
Overall height = 3 ft 6 in. (1,067 mm).
Wheel diameter = 1 ft 3� in. (394 mm).
Wheelbase = 2 ft 8 in. (813 mm).Livery (whilst based at Alston): Green with red buffer beams and coupling rods.
4 wheel Ruston and Hornsby diesel mechanical locomotive.
Locomotive Details:-
Built by Ruston and Hornsby of Lincoln in 1943, works no. 222101. Tractive effort 18 h.p. with 3 speed gearbox.This locomotive formerly worked at Holmebank Mining Co., Derbyshire.
Whilst based at Alston it was out of use, requiring gearbox repairs. It was sold to the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust and transported to their site at Telford in November 1999.
Livery (whilst based at Alston):-
Dark blue with black underframe.Photo: Ruston and Hornsby diesel locomotive at Alston engine shed yard in May 1987. Source: South Tynedale Railway archive.
Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 diesel mechanical locomotive No.15 �Old Hairy�
Locomotive Details:-
This 0-6-0 diesel mechanical locomotive, No.15, was originally built by Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited at their Leeds workshops in 1965, as works no. DM1366. The bodywork of the locomotive was being rebuilt by John Bailey, the former chief locomotive engineer of the South Tynedale Railway, during the years from 1995 until his very unfortunate death in October 1998, he fitted the running boards, bonnet frames and large cab shown in the photograph opposite.The locomotive formerly worked for National Coal Board, North East Area.
John�s wife, Susan Bailey decided to send the locomotive to the Yorkshire Engine Company workshops to finish the rebuilding of the bodywork, which included fitting side doors on the cab, the control desk and glazing, plus the top covers over the engine, it was transported there in May 1999.
This locomotive left the works of the Yorkshire Engine Company on 19th October 1999 and returned to Alston and it was largely complete, in addition to those mentioned above, other work involved the axle lubrication system and the fitting of a silencer and exhaust, it was painted in primer only and the final coats of paint are being applied at Alston.
It is to be officially named �Old Hairy� for which nameplates have already been cast, which was the nickname that Susan called John, due to his bearded facal appearance.
Above photo: Hudswell-Clarke 0-6-0 diesel mechanical locomotive No.15 photographed outside the carriage shed at Alston in May 1999. Photograph by Daniel McIntyre.
Diesel Locomotive No. 15 tested in passenger service during Easter, May and June 2002
Hudswell Clarke 100 h.p. diesel locomotive was tested in passenger service during Good Friday and Easter Saturday 2002. The paintwork on the bodywork of the locomotive is still to be completed, but in other respects the locomotive was nearly complete. A large metal numberplate - No.15 and metal nameplates �Old Hairy� were fitted to the locomotive.
The photograph, to the right, shows the locomotive at Kirkhaugh Station on a passenger train during Easter Saturday 30th March 2002. Photo by Daniel McIntyre.
The name - Old Hairy - is a tribute to the late former South Tynedale Railway locomotive engineer - John Bailey, who was responsible for the rebuilding and conversion of the locomotive from its underground mines locomotive condition to the current condition with some later assistance from the Yorkshire Engine Company works. This locomotive was used occasionally on passenger services, especially for driver training.
The locomotive had been out of service since 2004, due to disagreements with the current owner regarding its future use on the railway. During 2006, arrangements to sell the locomotive, as being for sale by tender began and advertisements were placed and later appeared in various railway magazines to attract any potential purchasers and to find a new home location for the locomotive.
Finally during December 2006, it was moved to the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway in Kent. An article together with a photograph of the locomotive by Lawrence Dickens was published in the January 2007 issue of Narrow Gauge News, the bi-monthly journal published by the Narrow Gauge Railway Society, regarding the movement of the locomotive to Kent. The article read as follows:-
�A new locomotive arrived at the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway from the South Tynedale Railway in December 2006. An 0-6-0 diesel mechanical, it was built by Hudswell-Clarke in 1965, works no. DM1366 and has a 100hp Gardner 6 cylinder diesel engine. This locomotive originally worked for the National Coal Board and was rebuilt by the South Tynedale Railway and the Yorkshire Engine Company between 1998 and 1999. Although in working order it will stay in the museum at Bredgar awaiting a full rebuild when current projects allow.�
Livery (whilst based at Alston): Dark green body with red buffer beams.
For more information about the South Tynedale Railway, please contact:-
THE SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY,
Registered Office Address:-
The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB.
Telephone 01434 381696.
Talking timetable - Telephone 01434 382828.
Registered Charity No. 514939.
Limited by Guarantee: Company Registration No. 1850832 (England).E-mail enquiries - please click on links below:
South Tynedale Railway information - Send e-mail to South Tynedale Railway
STRPS membership information only - Send e-mail to Kathy Aveyard
Tynedalesman information only - Send e-mail to Tynedalesman compilersThis page was last updated on 30th April 2007.
� South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society 2007.