Heritage Shunters Trust offers D9525 up for sale
A MONTH after the privately-owned pioneer Class 14, D9500, was sold for restoration (Railways Illustrated, November 2021), another preserved Class 14 is being offered for sale. D9525 is currently part of the Heritage Shunters Trust’s (HST) fleet at Rowsley South on Peak Rail, but spokesman John Wade told Railways Illustrated that the group has decided to sell it, mainly because it is too big for the collection and also too powerful for its requirements.
Funds raised from the sale will be directed towards the maintenance and restoration of other HST locomotives.
While the locomotive has been unofficially available for sale for some time, the HST has now decided to make the wider enthusiast community aware of its availability.
D9525 is currently unserviceable after developing an engine fault the last time it was used, although it is not believed to be serious.
It is suspected that a valve may have dropped in the engine, but the fault has not been fully investigated. Mr Wade explained that the fault should be repairable and prior to its failure, the engine and locomotive in general had been working very well. In recent years, D9525 has undergone extensive works to overhaul it, receiving a bottom end overhaul and a brake frame overhaul. It has also been completely re-wired using original Swindon wiring diagrams, and Mr Wade said the work carried out on the wiring was some of the best he had seen on a preserved locomotive. A host of other overhauled components have also been fitted and the Class 14 is complete.
“It’s a very good locomotive,” explained Mr Wade. “We have spent a lot of time overhauling it, and it is in better condition now than it has been for a long time.
“We want to see it go to a good home that can make use of it better than we can.
“We don’t believe the engine fault is serious, but haven’t the time or resources to sort it out for some time due to other work currently being carried out on other locomotives in the collection.”
D9525 has been in the care of the HST for more than 20 years. Previously owned by Harry Needle, it was subsequently sold to HST volunteer Ian Goddard (who previously owned D9500) and its overhaul was started. Sadly, Mr Goddard passed away before D9525 returned to service, but it was subsequently purchased by the HST from his estate. It currently carries Ian’s name, in memory of its former owner.
Mr Wade explained that the trust would love to see D9525 move to a new home and be returned to operational condition. It will not entertain it being sold as a parts donor, and any potential owner must be committed to keeping it in an operational condition. If a suitable offer is not received for D9525, it will remain part of the HST collection.
The HST is also hoping to attract new volunteers to assist with the restoration and maintenance of its locomotive collection at Rowsley South. Further details about the HST and its work can be found at www. heritageshunterstrust.com