Volunteers sought to assist with the revival of Waterman ‘Peak’
WATERMAN RAILWAYS Heritage Trust is hoping to find a team of volunteers to help with bodywork repairs to Class 46 ‘Peak’ 46035 Ixion – in what could become the start of a project to reactivate the long-stored locomotive.
The ‘Peak’ is stored at Peak Rail, where the WRHT has established an engineering base in conjunction with Peak Rail at its Rowsley South site. WRHT engineer and Peak Rail director Andrew Civil had previously told Railways Illustrated that the restoration of the Class 46 is something he would like to see, but pressure of work means other than protecting the locomotive from the elements, it is likely to be some time before it receives attention, unless a support team of volunteers is formed to drive the project forward. Mr Civil said: “We would love to see Ixion restored to running order and join our growing roster of locomotives at Peak Rail, but realistically it is a low priority for restoration by the WRHT, as we are so busy maintaining the operational fleet and completing the restoration of GWR 2-8-0T steam locomotive 5224.
“The return to service of our Class 25 has been a real boost and we would like to start on 46035 but we need help to make it happen. The ‘Peak’ is largely complete, apart from a couple of missing items that should be easily sourced.
Attention required
“We are conscious that it has been stood out of use for a number of years and that the bodywork is showing signs of needing attention before too long.
“Once the bodywork has been repaired, we plan to repaint it into BR green to make it more suitable to exhibit on the railway.
“I’m hoping we can attract a small team of volunteers to come down to Rowsley and assist us with the bodywork repairs, and then we can look at the internal restoration of the locomotive.
“If we can find a suitable team, we would love to be in a position to start re-assembling it, with a view to returning it to service.”
Purchased for preservation by Pete Waterman, 46035 (in its earlier guise as BR green-liveried D172) became the first privately-owned preserved diesel locomotive to be recertified for running on the main line following the lifting of a ban imposed by BR on preserved diesel locomotives operating on the national network. D172 made its return to the main line in October 1994. It then ran on a large number of main line and heritage railway workings for almost a decade, before being stopped in 2003 and partially dismantled for an overhaul that was not completed. Initially stored at Crewe Heritage Centre, it moved to Peak Rail in 2016 to join other locomotives belonging to WRHT.
WRHT returned both GWR 2-6-2T steam locomotive 5553 and Class 25 D7659 to service during 2021 following complete rebuilds, with both now regular performers on Peak Rail’s running line between Rowsley South and Matlock.
The Class 25 is due to visit the North Norfolk Railway until the end of July, but is now in regular service following some attention after it was first returned to service last year. The WRHT’S Class 47 D1501 was due to be delivered to Rowsley South during May, following its transfer from its previous home on the East Lancashire Railway (Railways Illustrated, issue 232).
Anyone wishing to assist can contact Peak Rail directly or email the Railways Illustrated editor at rieditor@mortons.co.uk and we will pass on your details to Mr Civil.