‘Workshop X’ marks its fourth loco restoration
DURHAM (Ogwen )madea second appearance in DCWB form as the star of a very special October 10 ‘Workshop X Open Day’.
A volunteer team led by Martyn Ashworth started to form in 2006 after Andrew Neale repatriated Hunslet 0-4-0ST Edward Sholto and undertook its restoration to steam at a private workshop in north Derbyshire which has become known as ‘Workshop X’.
The team grew and after Edward Sholto was completed in spring 2010, further restorations followed: Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0WT 1238/1916 (finished 2014), War Office Locomotive Trust’s ex-WDLR Hunslet 4-6-0T HE 1215/1916 No. 303 (completed 2018) and now Martyn’s own Avonside 0-4-0T Ogwen.
After having to skip 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a special open day for ticketholding ‘Workshop X’ volunteers and supporters was organised for October 10.
With Ogwen completed and no running line at the workshop, compounded by issues such as car parking and social distancing, this was held at Apedale Valley Light Railway rather than the workshop.
This presented the chance to see three of the locomotives restored by the team in steam together. Edward Sholto itself is now out of ticket and stored, so was represented by Statfold’s Hunslet 0-4-0ST Sybil Mary carrying temporary Edward Sholto ‘nameplates’.
The two October appearances as Durham will be the only occasions the loco will appear in this form. During the winter it will receive Penrhyn lining and become Ogwen.