Ogwen returns to steam – as Durham!
Former Durham County Water Board and Penrhyn Quarry locomotive hauls first trains for 56 years.
ON SEPTEMBER 20 Martyn Ashworth’s Avonside 0-4-0T
Ogwen moved under its own power for the first time since January 15, 1965. That date was recorded by a chalked inscription inside the cab by (then) Penrhyn slate quarry driver, the late Iorwerth Jones.
When Ogwen was repatriated from the USA in May 2012, that inscription was still present and has been carefully preserved insitu during the loco’s meticulous overhaul.
After an initial period displayed at Beamish following repatriation,
Ogwen arrived at the private ‘Workshop X’ in north Derbyshire on March 13, 2018 where the volunteer team commenced the restoration, culminating in the September 20 test over a short length of temporary track laid at the workshop.
The following day Ogwen passed an official boiler inspection and test.
The original plan was for the loco to be unveiled at Statfold Barn Railway in July, however the restoration was inevitably delayed by the coronavirus pandemic and this date was missed. Instead, when it left its ‘Workshop X’ restoration base on September 29 it went to Apedale Valley Light Railway to make its public debut during that line’s October 2/3 steam gala when it hauled its first ever passenger train.
Identity
However, instead of appearing carrying its Ogwen nameplates, the loco made its debut in original Durham County Water Board (DCWB) form as employed on the Burnhope reservoir contract carrying its original Durham name. On completion of that project it was sold to the Penrhyn slate quarry operation where it was given the name Ogwen by which it is best known. During restoration of Ogwen the original name painted on the tanks was found during rubbing down. This was recorded and reproduced to its original size and colours for this debut occasion.
Apedale Valley LR’s gala featured six locomotives in steam, Durham (Ogwen) joining Kerr, Stuart 0-4-2ST Stanhope, Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0WT No. 104, ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T No. 303 and, visiting from Statfold Barn Railway, Hunslet 0-4-0ST Sybil Mary and Hudswell Clarke 0-60WT GP39.