Patricia finding a new home on heritage railway
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE LOCO
EAST Yorkshire’s only heritage railway has taken delivery of its second locomotive.
“Patricia” has made the journey from Hull to her new home at Fimber, where a new fundraising campaign is now under way to restore the loco to working condition for the Yorkshire Wolds Railway (YWR).
More than two years of negotiations took place before Patricia, a 424 series 0-6-0 Fowler shunter powered by a six cylinder, Rolls Royce 12 litre, supercharged engine was able to join the YWR’S growing fleet.
YWR member Graham Danby, who spearheaded the operation, said: “Working closely with the donors from Hull, we had to ensure that everything was right with the site and documentation, well before a wheel on the locomotive could move.
“It has been in its existing home for a number of years and the tracks leading to it needed a lot of clearance work to allow it to escape.
“We were very fortunate and grateful that South Cave Tractors were on hand to give us assistance. They brought a brand new road-rail Unimog, which proved invaluable in us getting the locomotive out.”
Now on site, the hard work can begin on getting the locomotive back into regular use at Fimber Halt.
Andy Barwick, of YWR, said: “The locomotive is not in poor shape, but does need work on all aspects of the mechanical side to get it to a serviceable position.
“For example, key components such as the air compressor and locating bracket need replacing and we actively seeking these out from our small bank of suppliers.
“The first priority, though, will be to ensure the cab is watertight once again by fitting new windows and seals all round.”
To support the restoration, a fundraising campaign called “Fund The Fowler” has been launched.
Phil Robson, chairman of YWR, said: “This is the largest locomotive the YWR has and, as such, will have a large bill to bring it to life – but it will be totally worth it.
“It will give us the option to run two independent locomotives, or we could couple them together to create quite the spectacle.”
YWR already runs locomotive Sir Tatton Sykes, with visitors able to take rides in the cab.
“We have set the fundraising target for the mechanical aspect of the restoration at £6,000 and we would welcome any donation, small or large, to help us reach this goal.
“We do hope that in the not too distant future, we will be able to move Patricia alongside our newly extended platform so visitors can see elements of the restoration up close.”
YWR, which formed in 2008 exactly 50 years after the closure of the Malton and Driffield Junction Railway, will be open until the end of October and is always keen to involve new people.
Anyone interested in becoming a member or volunteering, making a donation or finding out more can visit the Yorkshire Wolds Railway website or call 01377 338053 for more information.
Anyone wishing to donate to “Fund the Fowler” can do so via the YWR website.