Post by Wheldale on Dec 9, 2012 6:49:41 GMT -5
Below is a copy of an NCB press statement form 1982.
Yorkshire’s last colliery steam loco
The last steam-powered locomotive on operational use at a Yorkshire pit steams out of service this week before being handed over to a preservation society in the Yorkshire Dales.
Based at Wheldale Colliery, Castleford, the “Austerity” class loco built by Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds, in 1944 has been used to take coal for washing to neighbouring Fryston Colliery a mile away.
Under a modernisation scheme its place is being taken by a conveyor belt, and remaining haulage work will be carried out by two diesel powered units.
North Yorkshire Area Cheif Engineer John Dunn says: “The locomotive is in perfect condition and will be a bargain for the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust who will have it on permanent loan.”
“We are delighted it is going to a good home, as steam locomotives have given invaluable service to the mining industry and there are still a lot of people in the industry who have worked with them over the years and regard them with a great deal of affection.”
Another “Austerity” class loco from North Yorkshire is with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and another similar steamer, not in working order and at present at Acton Hall Colliery, Featherstone, is to be donated to the National Railway Museum at York.
Wheldale loco Number 7 engine number 3168 was built for the Ministry of Supply as part of their scheme to produce a standardised loco for general duties. It served at home and abroad during the last two years of the war and was bought by the NCB for use at Primrose Hill Colliery Swillington in 1965. It was overhauled in 1972. It had a brief moment of fame in 1977 when it was painted green and appeared in a BBC film “The Hills of Heaven”, and earlier this year was used by Hunslet to carry out trials with an underfeed stoker.
The Dales Railway will restore it to its original colour scheme based on ruby red. In recent years the steam loco has been brought into service to provide cover during breakdowns, and this week it will be in continuous service from Tuesday to Saturday September 21st to 25th inclusive. It will travel by low loader to its new home. Nationwide there are still five steam locos in use in mining and another at a coking works.
20th September, 1982
Yorkshire’s last colliery steam loco
The last steam-powered locomotive on operational use at a Yorkshire pit steams out of service this week before being handed over to a preservation society in the Yorkshire Dales.
Based at Wheldale Colliery, Castleford, the “Austerity” class loco built by Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds, in 1944 has been used to take coal for washing to neighbouring Fryston Colliery a mile away.
Under a modernisation scheme its place is being taken by a conveyor belt, and remaining haulage work will be carried out by two diesel powered units.
North Yorkshire Area Cheif Engineer John Dunn says: “The locomotive is in perfect condition and will be a bargain for the Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust who will have it on permanent loan.”
“We are delighted it is going to a good home, as steam locomotives have given invaluable service to the mining industry and there are still a lot of people in the industry who have worked with them over the years and regard them with a great deal of affection.”
Another “Austerity” class loco from North Yorkshire is with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and another similar steamer, not in working order and at present at Acton Hall Colliery, Featherstone, is to be donated to the National Railway Museum at York.
Wheldale loco Number 7 engine number 3168 was built for the Ministry of Supply as part of their scheme to produce a standardised loco for general duties. It served at home and abroad during the last two years of the war and was bought by the NCB for use at Primrose Hill Colliery Swillington in 1965. It was overhauled in 1972. It had a brief moment of fame in 1977 when it was painted green and appeared in a BBC film “The Hills of Heaven”, and earlier this year was used by Hunslet to carry out trials with an underfeed stoker.
The Dales Railway will restore it to its original colour scheme based on ruby red. In recent years the steam loco has been brought into service to provide cover during breakdowns, and this week it will be in continuous service from Tuesday to Saturday September 21st to 25th inclusive. It will travel by low loader to its new home. Nationwide there are still five steam locos in use in mining and another at a coking works.
20th September, 1982
