The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Railway enthusiasts need help to get locomotive back on track
Group from Lathalmond near Dunfermline need funds to bring a part of Fife’s coal mining history back to life
A relic of Fife’s coal mining heritage is being restored to working order by a group of railway enthusiasts.
Shed47 Railway Restoration Group, based at Lathalmond near Dunfermline, has brought a National Coal Board No 29 locomotive back to Fife after a successful crowdfunding appeal.
They are now appealing for supporters to get behind the project once more so volunteers can get the engine moving again.
Grant Robertson from Shed47 said the cost of the project would not be known until the locomotive’s boiler had been inspected.
“Replacing components can be difficult because some of them aren’t made any more,” he said.
“The big thing is getting the boiler inspected. That will tell us what needs to be done to get the boiler back into service in a safe way.”
A crowdfunding page has been set up at crowdfunder.co.uk/no29.
The locomotive was transported back to Fife thanks to the generosity of members of the public, who donated £1,200, and Kinglassie haulier James Reekie. It had been kept at Prestonpans by the Prestongrange Railway Society, who have given it to Shed47 on permanent loan.
Prestongrange Railway Society rescued the engine from a playpark in Danderhall, where it had ended up after falling out of use.
The locomotive started its life with Fife Coal Company at the Mary Pit in Lochore and went on to be used at Lindsay Colliery in Kelty, Cowdenbeath Central Workshops, Bogside Mine and Frances Colliery in Dysart.
Shed47 previously refurbished the National Coal Board locomotive at Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline.
Mr Robertson said: “Most railway preservation groups have at least one if not more of these locomotives.
“But it’s nice to be able to bring one back to within a couple of miles of where it used to work.
“Any donations towards this next stage, are very gratefully received, as are any offers of assistance – new volunteers are always welcome.”
Shed47 previously carried out cosmetic restoration to another No 29, which sits proudly in Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline and the new project aims to build on the valuable experience the group gained.
Mr Robertson said visitors would be welcome to visit the group’s existing railway and ride on the diesel train at its open days next year. Full details will be published in January.
It’s nice to be able to bring one back to within a couple of miles of where it used to work. GRANT ROBERTSON