Narrow gauge News
Colour choice is a break from the norm, but the naming convention stays the same.
MEMBERS OF the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Preservation Society have voted for Caledonian Railway blue as the livery for Krauss 4-6-2 No. 8457, which was imported by the society from Spain in 2015.
This will be the first time one of the Cumbrian railway’s locomotives has been painted blue. Maintaining the tradition of naming locomotives after local rivers, RER members chose Whillan Beck, which the railway crosses as it enters Dalegarth station. While 90 members voted for this combination, and 135 voted for the name, the colour was the most popular choice. The runner-up name choices were Ghyll Force (100 votes) and King of Prussia (96). During testing on the railway in November and December last year, the ‘Pacific’ ran 190 miles, successfully hauling loads of up to 12 empty carriages. The results were judged to be satisfactory. The boiler steamed adequately, none of the roller bearings ran warm or showed signs of stress, and the brakes were capable of stopping the train in the required distance. However, the piston valves have not benefited from 84 years of inactivity and leaked steam. They will be re-bored and new rings will be fitted. The tender with the locomotive was unsuitable for use on the RER, mainly because its driving position was too high. The society has now asked its contractor, Old Hall Engineering at nearby Bouth, to construct a new one to meet RER requirements. It will include a belt-driven compressor, air brakes, handbrake and storage for a radio, tools and driver’s personal belongings. It will also have the capacity to carry half a ton of coal and 200 gallons of water.