The lost L&Y locomotive

The LYR was a forward-thinking pioneer of new motive power, not least electrification, and an example of its non-steam fleet survived into preservation – but sadly, it did not fare as well as its coal-burning counterparts.

It was Motor Rail ‘Simplex’ four-wheeled petrolmechanical shunter No. 1, Works No. 1947, one of three built for the LYR in 1919 as ‘service’ locomotives (the pre-Grouping equivalent of departmental stock). Based in Yorkshire, No. 1 is also believed to have worked at Newton Heath.

All three were sold into industrial use in 1930, No. 2 being scrapped after a stint at Synthite chemical works in Mold. However, after working for British Oil & Cake Mills at Hull and Greenock, No. 1 passed into the hands of Ryland Bros. Wireworks of Warrington, which donated it to the Chasewater Railway for preservation in 1970.

It ran occasionally at the line, but around 15 years ago – while Brownhills West station was being relocated to make way for the M6 Toll motorway, and not all of the railway’s stock could be accommodated in a secure compound – scrap thieves made off with its chassis and body.

The loss was especially galling, remembers Chasewater museum curator Barry Bull, because it was undergoing an overhaul at the time: “The engine and gearbox had been restored, and it was probably only about 12 months from being put back together.”

The engine and gearbox are still at the line, along with one wheelset, and one of its numberplates is safe in the hands of a member. Although there has been talk of ‘rebuilding’ it, Barry says: “I don’t know if it’ll ever happen – one of our members did buy a Planet locomotive with that intention, but the chassis is nothing like it.”