Council gives 03 shunter to Llangollen
BR Class 03 No. 03162 has been donated to the Llangollen Railway Trust by former owner Wirral Council, allowing for the immediate commencement of a fundraiser for overhaul and restoration work.
The 1960-built shunter ended its working life at Birkenhead North depot, working the dock railway at Merseyrail electric depot. Rail operations over this part of the dock ceased in May 1989, which saw No. 03162 and its two shedmates withdrawn as the last of the class in use on the mainland.
All three Birkenhead 03s entered preservation, with No. 03162 being donated by BR to Wirral Council’s Museum Service, which was developing the Wirral Transport Museum & Heritage Tramway. With the museum being some way off, the council placed it on loan to the Llangollen Railway, where it has remained based ever since.
The 03 was operational upon arrival and used on engineering and works trains as the line extended to Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog but, being largely in ex-BR condition and suffering from a worn final drive, it gradually fell out of use. Its last operating turn was on a ballast train for the Corwen extension in 2014, but it has been in storage at both Carrog and Llangollen since then.
Colin Simpson, principal museums officer at Wirral Council, said: “We are happy to transfer ownership to the Llangollen Railway Trust in acknowledgement of both the interest that has been expressed and the care that has been shown to No. 03162 over many years, and hope that LRT is able to use the loco to best effect.”
Pete Edwards, of the Llangollen Railway, who brokered the discussions, said: “I first approached Colin back in 2019 regarding the loan status of No. 03162 as it was becoming clear it was starting to deteriorate.
“We are very grateful of Wirral Council’s recognition of the care we have provided in the 33 years it has spent with us – longer than its original career with BR!
“Now we have confirmed that Wirral Council no longer require the locomotive for display at Birkenhead, we look forward to ensuring it is restored to fully-operational condition. All being well, this will be in time for it to celebrate its 65th birthday in fine style in 2025.”
The work to return the shunter to service is forecast to take between three and five years, subject to successful funding. Once back in service, it will return to shunting and engineering service usage, and make appearances at galas.
➜ Anybody interested in supporting the overhaul of No. 03162 is invited to telephone 01978 860979 or email info@llangollen-railway.co.uk