The South Tynedale Railway uses rails set 2 feet, or 610mm, apart (the “gauge”) with a maximum line speed of 15mph (24kph). The locomotives and rolling stock being used have been obtained from a wide variety of sources, both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Much of the equipment is second-hand, and many of the items have been rebuilt, or have undergone considerable modification, before being used on the railway whilst others of the vehicles have been built new specifically for the Society, partially in the railway’s own workshops at Alston.
Steam Locomotives
Formerly used at the Naklo Sugar Factory, near Bydgoszcz, Poland, this locomotive was built at the Chrzanow workshops, Poland in 1957 as works no. 3459. Originally fitted with both side and well tanks, the locomotive was completely rebuilt at Alston in 2001 without side tanks and with an improved tender. Following restoration Naklo was painted with a maroon body lined in yellow with black frames and red wheels and buffer beams.
Naklo is currently undergoing resoration with a new boiler and tender tank being fitted. Livery is yet to be determined.
Description:
“Naklo” arrived at the South Tynedale Railway, Alston, Cumbria in April 1988. It is a 70 horse power, 0-6-0 tank type “LAS” locomotive, built in 1957 by Fabryka Lokomotyw Imf Dzierzynskiego, Chrzanow, Poland, works No. 3459. This locomotive was imported from Poland, where it had worked at a sugar factory railway at Naklo.
From 1945, all steam locomotive production in Poland was at Chrzanow, where 800 of the “LAS” type were built, between 1946 and 1959, for industrial use on 600 mm (2 ft) and 750 mm (2 ft 6in) gauge lines.
This locomotive was originally built as a tank locomotive, the tender was a later addition. It was supplied new to the Wapienno Lime Works, near Szubin, it was transferred to the Znin Sugar Factory (No. 2) in 1966 and then to the Naklo Sugar Factory, near Bydgoszczn in 1977. Here it was converted to run with a tender of a typical Polish design, giving greater coal and water capacity and worked until March 1987.
Technical Specification:
- Cylinders: 9.6in x 11.8in. (245 mm x 300 mm)
- Fitted with Heusinger valve gear
- Working pressure of 12 atmospheres (176 psi)
- Weight at empty: 10 tonnes
- Weight in full working order: 12½ tonnes
- Tractive effort at 60% of boiler pressure: 4,405 lbs (2,000 kg)
- Length: 18ft 6in (5,639 mm)
- Overall height: 8 ft 8 in (2,650 mm)
- Wheel diameter: 2 ft 0 in (600 mm)
- Wheelbase: 5 ft 4 in (1,626 mm)
Description:
Built by Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds in 1937, works no. 1859 this locomotive formerly worked for the Umtwalumi Valley Estate (U.V.E) sugar plantation, in Natal, South Africa. Becoming “Number 1” on the UVE roster, the loco remained in service until the early 1980’s. Having been taken out of service the loco was used as a stationary boiler and from 1991 was displayed on a plinth at Mount Edgecombe.
The loco was purchased for preservation and returned to the UK in 1997. Initially in storage, it moved to Alston in 1998. Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, restoration work was carried out by North Bay Engineering, Statfold Barn and the engineering department here at South Tynedale Railway. Green Dragon was run in/trialled at the end of 2018 when she hauled the Santa Specials. Green Dragon entered traffic in 2019. Using wood briquettes made from waste virgin sawdust, Green Dragon is considerably more environmentally friendly than a traditional coal fired steam locomotive.
“Barber” was built by Thomas Green and Company Limited of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England in 1908, works No. 441. This locomotive formerly worked at Harrogate Gas Works, Harrogate, North Yorkshire and was named “Barber” after the Chairman of the company Francis Barber. In 2011 the railway launched an appeal to raise £100,000 aimed at restoring this iconic locomotive back to working order and after a May Bank Holiday Gala in 2015, Barber returned to regular service at South Tynedale Railway.
Description:
Barber is thought to be the only surviving locomotive built by Thomas Green and Company Limited of Leeds in the northern hemisphere; although there may be three or four more elsewhere.
An 0-6-2ST built by Greens of Leeds, 441/1908, Barber spent its working life at Harrogate Gas Works, and was named after the Chairman of the Gas Company – Francis Barber. Despite rebuilds, it fell into disuse in 1949.
In 1953 the North East Gas Board agreed to it being preserved if the NGRS (Narrow Gauge Railway Society) could find a home for it. In 1956 Leeds City Museum agreed to house it and it went to the Museum’s Copley Hill store, where NGRS members started to restore it. It was subsequently displayed in the new Armley Mills Museum.
In 1983 it was moved to the workshops of the Bradford Industrial Museum, where some work was done; it was returned to Armley Mills in 1991, where it remained in pieces, many major parts exposed to the elements.
The initiative to restore Barber was initiated by a NGRS and South Tynedale member who read the special issue of The Narrow Gauge News devoted to Harrogate Gas Works (TGN 146, Spring 1995) and was moved to visit Armley Mills. Subsequently, in 2004, it was transferred to the South Tynedale Railway with the intention that restoration would start immediately.
Barber entered traffic in 2015 and saw service until 2018. She is currently in ticket but awaiting new cylinder linings.
Technical Specification:
- Cylinders: 10 in x 16 in (254 mm x 406 mm)
- Working pressure of 10 atmospheres (150 psi)
- Tractive effort at 75% of boiler pressure: 6,000 lbs
- Length: 20ft 11in (6,375 mm)
- Overall height: 7 ft 10 in (2,387 mm)
- Wheel diameter: 2 ft 6 in (762 mm)
- Wheelbase (coupled): 6 ft 0 in (1,829 mm)
Diesel Locomotives
Built by Hudswell-Clarke of Leeds in 1952 as works no. DM819, “Naworth” has a tractive effort of 100 h.p. produced by a Gardner 6LW engine and 3 speed gearbox. This locomotive formerly worked for National Coal Board, North East Area at Horden Colliery, County Durham. Naworth is painted with a green body, yellow frame and red coupling rods.
Description:
This diesel mechanical locomotive was constructed in 1952 by Hudswell-Clarke & Co. of Leeds, works no DM819, as a flameproof, underground mine locomotive for the National Coal Board. These locomotives were distributed by Huwood & Co., of Gateshead, hence the trade name “Huwood-Hudswell”.
It was delivered new to Horden Colliery, County Durham as their No. 2 (Plant 2304/7), where it remained in service underground until withdrawn in February 1979, when it was sent to Ashington Colliery Workshops, Northumberland. It was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1981 and transported to Alston.
This locomotive is fitted with a 180 horse power, 6-cylinder Gardner 6LX diesel engine, with a fluid coupling driving a Bostock and Bramley synchro self shifting air change, 3 speed gear box. The final drive is by jackshaft and coupling rods, giving maximum speeds of 3.8, 7.3 and 14 mph, and a maximum tractive effort of 8410 lbs (3815 kg).
Technical Specification:
- Weight: 12 tons
- Length: 15 ft 5 in. (4,699 mm)
- Width: 5 ft 7 in. (1,702 mm)
- Height to top of cab: 8 ft 11 in. (2,718 mm)
- Wheel diameter: 2 ft 1 in (635 mm)
- Wheelbase: 5 ft 4 in. (1,626 mm)
Built by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds in 1952, works no. 4109 with a tractive effort of 70 h.p. from a Gardner 4LW engine and 4 speed gearbox.No 9 was rebuilt by South Tynedale Railway in 1992 having formerly worked for National Coal Board, North East Area at Seaham Area Training Centre, County Durham and is used on works trains and as a standby passenger locomotive.
Description:
This diesel mechanical locomotive was built in 1952 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds, works no. 4109, as a flameproof underground mine locomotive for the National Coal Board. It was supplied new to Horden Colliery, County Durham (Plant No. 2403/50). It was converted from underground to surface use at the N.C.B. Ashington Central Workshops, in Northumberland in 1975, before returning to Horden in 1977 to shunt the surface yard. It was returned to Ashington in 1982 prior to transfer to the driver training centre at Seaham, County Durham where it was in use until it was bought by the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1987.
The locomotive was purchased by the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society in 1991, and conversion work was carried out to include the modification of the air system for use in passenger service, while retaining the air driven starter motor. The footplate has been widened, a new cab built, new engine covers and drag boxes fabricated and a full mechanical overhaul was carried out.
The locomotive is fitted with a 180 horse power, 4-cylinder Gardner 4LX diesel engine, with Hunslet clutch, driving a Hunslet 4 speed, air change, gear-box. The final drive is by jackshaft and coupling rods, giving maximum speeds of 4.5, 6.5, 10 and 15.5 mph and maximum tractive effort of 5150 lbs (2336 kg).
The locomotive entered regular passenger service in 1994, but initially required two persons on the footplate. It was later fitted with a full emergency braking system, similar to that on locomotive No. 4. It is now the main works locomotive, but is available for use on the passenger services and operated the diesel service from 2008 to 2010. This loco is battleship grey with red band, black frame and wheels, red coupling rods and buffer beams.
Technical Specification:
- Weight: 11 tons
- Length: 16 ft 0 in. (4,877 mm)
- Width: 5 ft 10 in. (1,778 mm)
- Height to top of cab: 9 ft 0 in. (2,743 mm).
- Wheel diameter: 1 ft 11in. (584 mm)
- Wheelbase: 4 ft 5 in. (1,346 mm)
Built by Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds in 1967, works no. 6646 with a tractive effort 60 h.p. from a Gardner 4LW engine and single speed gearbox.This locomotive formerly worked at Broughton Moor NATO Depot, Maryport, Cumbria and is usually used in Alston yard or on works trains. Although it is fitted with air-braking it is not suitable for passenger service.
Description:
This diesel mechanical locomotive was built in 1967 by the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds, as works no. 6646, it was supplied new to the 2 ft 6 in gauge, Broughton Moor NATO Ammunition Depot, Department of the Environment, Maryport, Cumbria where it operated until withdrawn in 1987. It was originally purchased by S. Morgan, a scrap merchant in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. It was bought several members of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, known as the Durham Narrow Gauge Group in 1990 and it was transported to Alston.
Shortly after its arrival at the South Tynedale Railway, the locomotive received a major rebuild, which included alteration of the air brakes, while retaining the air driven starter motor, a full mechanical overhaul and it was regauged to 2 ft.
The locomotive is fitted with a 60 horse power, 4-cylinder Gardner 4LW diesel engine, connected to a torque convertor driving a single speed Hunslet gear-box, with hydraulic clutches for forward and reverse. The final chain drive gives a maximum speed of 7 mph, and a maximum tractive effort of 4750 lbs (2155 kg).This loco has an apple green body, black frames, red wheels and buffer beams.
Technical Specification:
- Weight: 9 tons
- Length: 15 ft 5 in. (4,700 mm)
- Width: 4 ft 3 in. (1,294 mm)
- Overall height: 7 ft 3in. (2,210 mm)
- Wheel diameter: 2 ft 0 in. (610 mm)
- Wheelbase: 4 ft 7 in. (1,397 mm)
This locomotive is a 100hp, Hudswell-Clarke, 0-6-0 diesel mechanical locomotive. “Old Rusty’s” original dimensions were identical to No. 4 “Naworth” but the full original chassis has been used for the rebuild for passenger duties.Terracotta body, red coupling rods, wheels and buffer beams, black frames. Privately owned.
Description:
This locomotive is an ex-mines loco of Hudswell-Clarke manufacture, built in 1961, works number 1247. It has six coupled wheels, is eighteen feet long and weighs in at fifteen tons. The engine has a six cylinder Gardner 6LX engine, rated at 180 h.p., with maximum revolutions of 1750 r.p.m.
It last worked for the National Coal Board at Vane Tempest colliery, near Seaham, County Durham, where it was used for training drivers. When the colliery closed, it was bought by Arthur Belshaw and taken to the South Tynedale Railway.
The locomotive being surplus to requirements was purchased by a member of the Welsh Highland Railway at Porthmadog, Gwynedd, in North Wales and it arrived there in June 1996. Since then, it has been stripped down to frames, engine and gearbox, steam cleaned, and the old paint removed. The frames and wheels have had four coats of new paint, the engine and gearbox have received two coats each.
Work is underway to prepare the engine back to working order with the construction of a new engine cover and cab. When complete the locomotive is intended to be used on works or passenger trains on the South Tynedale Railway.
Technical Specification:
- Engine capacity: 180 h.p., 75kW
- Transmission: Fluid coupling, ‘Powerflow’ gearbox
- Final drive: Jackshaft
- Weight: 15 tons
- Driving wheel diameter: 2 ft 2½ in (673 mm)
- Tractive effort: 8,500 pounds approx. or 37.8kN.
- Maximum axle load: 5 tons
Battery Electric Locomotives
No 21 Carlisle and No 22 Newcastle
4 -wheel battery electric locomotives built by Clayton for Metronet Rail/transport for London.
Both in regular passenger service.
Miscellaneous
A 4-wheel brake van, constructed on the chassis of a 4-wheel open flat wagon, originally built, in 1939, by Chas. Roberts & Co. Ltd., Horbury Junction, Wakefield, and one of five purchased by the STRPS in 1991 from Broughton Moor NATO Ammunition Depot, Maryport, Cumbria.The vehicle was stripped to a bare chassis, the brake gear altered to 2ft (610mm) gauge, and new sets of wheels and axles, also regauged from 2ft 6in (760mm), obtained.The body is divided into three compartments. At the south end is a self-contained section with double doors for luggage, bicycles and buffet supplies. To the north is a compartment at platform height for the guard with a door on each side having a drop-light window. There are steps up to a raised central section which has a clerestory light for the guard to observe the train while in motion. Beneath the floor of this section is about one ton of rails to increase the weight of the vehicle.
Again constructed on the chassis of a four wheel wagon from R.A.F. Broughton Moor, which was re-gauged from 2 ft. 6 inch to 2 ft. The vehicle was stripped to a bare chassis, the brake gear altered to 2ft (610mm) gauge, and new sets of wheels and axles, also regauged from 2ft 6in (760mm), obtained. The width of the chassis was increased to 6ft 6in (1980mm) and a steel frame for the body constructed. Prior to fixing the wooden floor, lengths of old rail were attached to the top of the chassis to increase the weight by approximately one tonne to improve the braking force.The body panels are of timber, and the interior is divided into two, interconnecting, compartments, each with a pair of end windows. The compartment at the northern end contains the guard’s hand- and air-brake controls, a large locker, and has a single inward opening door and a steel ducket window on each side. The second compartment is for luggage, with a pair of outward opening doors on each side, and a folding seat for the use of travelling p.w. staff.This entered service on 1st of April 1995. The folding seat was subsequently replaced by shelving for buffet car supplies.
