Horden’s back – against all odds
ANDREW BARCLAY 0-6-0ST Horden returned to steam at the Tanfield Railway on October 21, after an eight-year restoration.
It moved into daylight in its completed state for the first time on October 12 before undergoing its first light engine trial run nine days later. The 1904-built machine has been returned to original condition, complete with gold leaf lettering, to its Barclay works livery.
“It’s an exciting moment,” said Tanfield Railway trustee Peter Weightman, who has led the restoration, prior to its first moves.
“Lots of people probably thought of Horden as a bit of a lost cause, a forgotten engine, after 30 years dumped out in all weathers, but this just goes to show what determined volunteers can achieve. There have been a huge number of problems, and even a global pandemic to deal with, but we’re really close now.”
The restoration was hampered during the pandemic by a major parts theft. Several of the components stolen had to be remade from scratch.
Horden infamously collided with a ‘Q6’ 0-8-0 while shunting at Shotton colliery in the late 1960s. By all accounts, the main line locomotive was knocked off the rails and had to be rescued, but the only slightly wounded Horden continued its work.
Testing is expected to be carried out before the end of the year and it is hoped that Horden will be officially relaunched into traffic early in 2021.
Built as Andrew Barclay Works No. 1015, Horden spent most of its working life at Shotton colliery, until withdrawal in 1972.