Gordon A Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 A new engine arrived at the Avon Valley Railway this week, and i was fortunate to be rostered on her yesterday. The engine is Earl David, a Hunslet Austerity design built by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock in 1945, and worked in the Scottish coalfields. As I have driven Jessie, an ealier Hunslet that is based at the Llangollen Railway, I was very keen to give an Austerity tank a try having read of their exploits mainly in colliery work. First a couple of shots looking between the frames. Definitely a case of going over the top for oiling. I have a large rib cage so even this route is not straight forward. Now a couple of general shots taken at Avon Riverside Halt on a Driver Experience B course. Our GWR 25 ton Toad. A shot of the builders plate. This may be of interest to Robert of RT Models. And the British Transport Commision plate that allowed her to run into BR sidings. I must say the engine is a most enjoyable drive and the three participants on the course also found her an enjoyable experience. The Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway have a good history of this engine on their web site. Gordon A Bristol (With a big grin on his face!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Is this a long term visit, or just a brief stay? I remember when I was a lad, and the AVR was the BSR, the were a couple of Austerities at Bitton for a while, I think they just passed through on the way from South Wales to ? (maybe the K&ESR). I'm sure one was blue and called Linda, and as that is my Mum's name she kept asking about it for years afterwards! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Colin Posted March 3, 2013 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 3, 2013 I assume that's the livery of the old Wemyss Private Railway which (IIRC) closed in the late '60s - is the loco a genuine WPR survivor? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohmisterporter Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I can't answer Colin's question but I think that is a very neat fitting for the air pumps. Having them alongside the smokebox or cab just doesn't look right to me. Of course with a full length saddle tank there is not a lot of room. Overall that is a tidy looking engine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 I understand Earl David will be staying for the season and probably Christmas. The loco is a survivor of the Wemyss Private Railway. I think the two Austerities that were at Bitton went to Buckfastleigh. Gordon A Bristol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham R Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 A new engine arrived at the Avon Valley Railway this week, and i was fortunate to be rostered on her yesterday [....] Gordon AWith a big grin on his face!) You've put a big grin on my face too, since last time I saw no 15 was forty years in Methil. Here is Andy Arnot's photo of her after withdrawal in 1971, in a thread about the railways around Kirkcaldy. Thanks for posting these! Graham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon A Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Graham, There is also a picture of No15 during her working days in the current Hornby magazine in the lead phot on the industrial scene. Gordon A Bristol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOCJACOB Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Bit like Graham R I too remember No 15 working at the washer in Methil. My grandfather worked as an electrician at both Wellesley and Michael. Both grandparents lived in a NCB property opposite the hospital and many a happy hour was spent as a child watching the remaining locos working the yard. I was also fortunate to be allowed to see No 15 in bits during her rebuild by new owner Mr Goodman. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMJ Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 At least the cab is big enough for Mr Plumb when he is driving. Looks nice in the lined choc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOCJACOB Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Managed to find this image of No 15 in her working environment, though suspect a day off due to lid on the chimney Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthesnail96 Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 Ahh, that answers the question my other half asked me the other day. "Overtook a brown saddle tank with cream writing on the way to work this morning, what was it?". Now I know! Will have to take a trip down to Brizzle sooon methinks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwffc Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 A pic of it with WPR No17 at Methil http://watsonrail.smugmug.com/Railways/Scotlands-Railways-1960s-1980s/i-D3PTFpk/1/M/img960-M.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochty no more Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Earl David - imagine calling a steam engine after a pub!........well there is one in East Wemyss. The Kingdom of Fife Railway Preservation Society have a signal & knee frame from the WPR, we used to have it`s sister engine No16 at Lochty, but Lochty no more! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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