K1 moves to statfold for cosmetic restoration and disPlay
Pioneer Beyer-Garratt locomotive – former North East Dundas Tramway 0-4-0+0-4-0 K1 – has moved to the Statfold Barn Railway for cosmetic restoration.
Built in 1909, the prototype locomotive was moved from its long-time home of Dinas on the Welsh Highland Railway – where it has been stored in a dismantled state pending overhaul since it was withdrawn in 2014 – to Statfold in early December.
It will undergo cosmetic restoration, which will include the reinstatement of cab fittings removed upon withdrawal, and will be displayed as part of the SBR’s first enthusiast day of the year on March 21.
Part of the reason for the move is that it will be “at least four years” before the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways can overhaul K1, said FR Company director Mike Hart, owing to the WHR’s current focus on getting four ‘NG/G16’ Garratts into traffic.
Mr Hart added: “It is therefore difficult for the F&WHR to prioritise work on this locomotive at this time. A window of opportunity to carry out an overhaul in the summer of 2019 failed to materialise, and it is likely to be at least four years before another opportunity presents itself.
“K1 is a really interesting locomotive, and we are very conscious that people like to see it. With no facilities for public access at Dinas at the present time, we are really grateful to Statfold Barn team for taking charge of it.”
An eventual return to steam has not been ruled out, and “should be a reasonably straightforward matter” as its boiler is relatively new, having been built by Israel Newton in 2002.
SBR trustee Henry Noon said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to offer a secure home for this iconic locomotive. K1 will join our extensive collection of narrowgauge rolling stock and will assist in telling the story of the development of narrow-gauge motive power. It will be on display at all of our railway events so that we can provide an opportunity for visitors to view this impressive machine at close quarters.”
K1 is the third steam locomotive to take up residence at Statfold in recent weeks, following the arrival of Bagnall 0-4-0ST Wendy and ‘Quarry Hunslet’ 0-4-0ST Cloister from the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust (see NG News, p34-36).