That was the year that...
Narrow gauge news stories from the archives and their legacy...
From 60 years ago
Ffestiniog Railway
The Harrogate Gasworks Peckett 0-6-0ST has been standing stored at Boston Lodge for so long that the paint on the back of the cab has weathered to reveal stencilled in white ‘U.S. Army Transportation Corps’. This caused a great deal of discussion as to the probable history of the loco, and fooled quite a few people until it was revealed that a member of staff had crept out one night with paint and stencils, and done the job himself!
(NGN, Oct-Dec 1962)
Oh what a wag... Incidents of this nature were apparently common at the time, though thankfully it appears none were allowed to last long enough to pass into folklore. After a few more years of slumber at Boston Lodge the Peckett departed and today resides at Statfold, in full working order.
Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
The arrival of ‘Countess’ from Oswestry works was originally planned for September 22nd, but the date had to be put back to October 6th. This date is just over 60 years from her arrival new from Beyer, Peacocks, and six since she was shipped off to Oswestry.
At long last the Company have received their Light Railway Amendment Order to enable the operation of train services. This came into force on October 12th last. The Company’s Acting General Manager for the summer months has retired, and been replaced by Mr M Polglaze, recently returned from 10 years service with East African Railways & Harbours. Does this mean C.T.C high capacity bogie stock, and red-and-gold Garratts on the W&L? (NGN, Oct-Dec 1962) Not the first time wild ideas have circulated around the Llanfair line – this one was a joke but other more serious proposals, such as a branch to Powis Castle (?) have also never come to pass.
Staveley Minerals, Scaldwell Mines
These quarries have been working only Monday and Tuesday this summer due to the recession in the iron industry. However in September business picked up slightly and the quarries commenced working a four-day week. ‘Scaldwell’ is the loco in regular use, “Lamport’ being in the shed under repair. ‘Handyman’ is (very) spare engine in its little shed as although it is in working order it is too small for the work.
It is probable that the narrow gauge will cease operation during next year as the only job preventing the extension of standard gauge to the pits is lowering the track under one of the road bridges. The Birmingham Locomotive Club have been promised a last run over the line with Handyman before the service finally ceases. (NGN, Oct-Dec 1962) Sadly Lamport’s out-of-service status sealed its fate, the Peckett scrapped after the 3ft gauge operations ended in 1963. Thankfully sister Scaldwell and the Hudswell Clarke Handyman survived though the only time either have steamed since was on a single occasion when Scaldwell was moved into a shed at the Brockham Museum. It is now at the Southwold Railway Trust while Hanydman is being cosmetically restored for the Statfold Narrow Gauge Trust.