Statfold starts restoration of First World War Baldwin
Afourth First World War Baldwin locomotive could be on its way back to steam in the UK after work began on 4-6-0PT WDLR 779 (44657/1916) at Statfold Barn.
Sold like much war surplus rail equipment to India following its war service, the loco was one of two Baldwins purchased from the Ryam Sugar Company and brought to the UK by Statfold in 2013. While WD 608 (45190/1917) was later sold on to enthusiast Graham Fairhurst and has since been restored to operating condition, 779 has since arrival sat unrestored on a wagon in a corner of Statfold’s Grain Store museum collection.
The locomotive has now been stripped down ready for a move for restoration to the ‘Workshop X’ at Killamarsh near Sheffield. This venue has recently completed work on the Trust’s Hunslet 0-4-2PT ‘Tamar’ (3756/1952).
On removing the Baldwin’s side tanks, the plate bearing the loco’s original War Department number of 779 was found.
Once restored to steam the Baldwin will join three other examples of the class in the UK. WD608 is currently based at the Ffestiniog Railway. The Greensand
Museum Trust’s no 778 (44656/1917) was one of two Baldwins imported from India in 1985 and spent some time at Amberley Museum before restored at the Leighton Buzzard Railway where it is based today.
The other loco, no 794 (44699/1917), intended for a line planned for the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, is being restored at the Vale of Rheidol Railway for the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway. It will adopt the identity of classmate 590, that worked on the WHR until scrapped in 1941.
Meanwhile Statfold Engineering Ltd has begun restoring the Trust’s Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T ‘Cegin’ (1991/1931), which formerly worked at Penrhyn Quarry and was repatriated from South America.