Pioneer Garratt ‘K1’ steams at Statfold
THE star of the Statfold Barn Railway’s first 2020 enthusiast day on March 28 was set to be ‘back-in-steam’Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s (Ff&WHR) Beyer, Peacock 0-4-0+0-4-0 Garratt ‘K1’, which last steamed in 2014.
The main attraction was ready but the open day was cancelled amid the coronavirus crisis.
A start was made on its
10-year overhaul, but progress at Ff&WHR’s Dinas works stalled amid other priorities. An initial agreement was made for the loco to be moved to Statfold, where it would be reassembled and placed on static display.
It arrived on December 9, and following assessment Statfold opened talks aimed at their workforce undertaking a full overhaul and returning it to steam.
Agreement for the enhanced project was rapidly reached
(RM March) and work similarly rapidly started, resulting in ‘K1’ being steam tested, including undertaking a trial gauging run on March 17.
Other enhancements due to be unveiled on March 28 include a new facility providing Statfold Narrow Gauge Museum Trust with its own workshop – separate from the works operated by Statfold Engineering Ltd – in which to maintain the Statfold collection.
Statfold Museum Trust chairman
Graham Lee, commenting on the coronavirus situation and its potential impact on heritage railways, said: “Grand expensive projects will have to be scrutinised thoroughly when our supporters are suffering.
“When I look back in hindsight to the recent £60,000 costs incurred on ‘K1’ perhaps this should have gone to the NHS, after all we could have done it another day.”