‘LOST’ HAWTHORN LESLIE LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME
Forgotten 0-4-0ST Met is up for sale after almost two decades out of the limelight.
AHawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST that has been out of public view for almost 20 years is set to change hands – for about the price of a family hatchback.
Works No. 2800 Met is partially dismantled in the yard of an engineering firm in Wales. The restoration of the 1909-built locomotive stalled after a previous owner passed away, but it is now in the hands of Penybryn Engineering, which is seeking a new custodian.
Built for the Metropolitan Electric Supply Company’s Acton power station, the 10in-cylindered locomotive was given a shortened version of its purchaser’s name. Met finished its commercial life at Bow power station, then owned by the Central Electricity Generating Board, before entering preservation at the Kent & East Sussex Railway in 1967.
Met remained in Kent for 12 years and was steamed at its new home, before finding its way to Darlington North Road Museum for display. There it remained until the early years of the 21st century, before a nomadic period that eventually took it to Penybryn Engineering for restoration.
Its boiler was removed and fully inspected, but work ceased after the death of its owner.
Around 14 years passed before ownership was resolved and now Penybryn Engineering is looking to sell Met, telling Steam Railway that it did not have the time to carry out restoration. Since tentatively making it known that one of the oldest surviving Hawthorn Leslie locomotives was available, the firm has received a number of enquiries.
Although not being actively advertised, it is expected that
Met will change hands for approximately £20,000 (see below).
The locomotive is essentially complete with most smaller components in store and currently being documented. Prospective purchasers are expected to have the chance to inspect the locomotive before a sale is agreed.