‘46464’ KEEPS RUNNING AT STRATHSPEY AFTER 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Ivatt ‘2MT’ No. 46512 is to continue running as classmate No. 46464 at the Strathspey Railway – possibly for the rest of the summer.
The renumbering was carried out for the line’s 40th anniversary celebrations on July 21/22, using the smokebox numberplate and whistle from the real No. 46464 – which hauled the Strathspey Railway’s first train in 1978, and is being restored by the Carmyllie Pilot Company at Bridge of Dun. Max Maxwell, a director of the Carmyllie Pilot Company, said: “The event was a great success, so we’ve decided to leave the disguise on No. 46512 for a while longer.” This will initially be for one month, but may be extended. Further changes of identity could be on the cards for the future, he added: “Once we get No. 46464 running, at some stage we’d like to take it to the Strathspey, subject to their agreement, and renumber No. 46512 as No. 46463.” The latter engine often worked with its consecutively numbered classmate from Dundee Tay Bridge shed, including enthusiast railtours over the Carmyllie branch. It was No. 46464’s regular use on that line that gave rise to its nickname of the ‘Carmyllie Pilot’.
No. 46464’s boiler will shortly be sent away for contract overhaul, and is “generally in very good condition,” said Mr Maxwell: “It is true that it was lit up without any water in 1979, but it did not suffer serious damage.
“Once the absence of water was discovered the fire was dropped and the injectors opened, allowing cold water onto the still-hot copper plates. This thermally shocked some of the stays, causing them to leak, but that would have been mostly repairable by caulking. “However, the boiler is originally from No. 46465, which spent most of its life at Cambridge shed in a hard water area. Because of scale deposits, the copper plate in both rear lower halves of the firebox had worn to almost half its original thickness in places. With two new part sides installed, the boiler should give many years of reliable service. “If any kind-hearted readers would like to expedite No. 46464’s return to hauling trains, donations will be gratefully received. Please send them to the Carmyllie Pilot Company, 53 Denview Road, Potterton, Aberdeen AB23 8ZL.” Mr Maxwell also owns three ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0STs, in store at Bridge of Dun, which will also be restored. They are Hunslet Works No. 2879 of 1943 and Bagnall Works Nos. 2749 and 2759 (both of 1944); Works No. 2749 was the mainstay of operations on the Caledonian Railway until 1999.