Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era – Hawthorn Leslie, 3837 of 1934

Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era

Hawthorn Leslie, 3837 of 1934

Bernard Mettam Collection – IRS Collection http://www.irsociety.co.uk

R. & W. Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Limited, usually referred to as Hawthorn Leslie, was a shipbuilding and locomotive manufacturer.

The Company was formed by the merger of the shipbuilder A.Leslie & Co.in Hebburn with the locomotive works of R & W Hawthorn at St.Peter’s in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1886. The Company disposed of its locomotive manufacturing interests in 1937 to Robert Stephenson & Co. which became Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd.

After the merger the locomotive side continued manufacturing for main-line, light and industrial railways, including a large number built for export, usually to the designs of the Crown Agents.

John Hill Collection IRS Collection http://www.irsociety.co.uk

R.W Hawthorn Leslie 0-6-0 ST, 3837 of 1934

3’ 8” wheels, 16”x 24” outside cylinders.  New to Stewarts and Lloyds, Corby Steelworks, Northamptonshire, originally No. 10 but later renumbered 16.  Initially entering preservation at the Nene Valley Railway, Cambridgeshire around June 1974 the locomotive has experienced a somewhat nomadic existence since.

A move to the Battlefield Line, Shackerstone, Leicestershire took place on March 7^th 1981 (where No.16 joined sister loco Hawthorn Leslie 3931 of 1938, another ex Corby loco, their No. 21).  No.21 had been at Shackerstone since October 1973 but both locos moved on to the Swanage Railway, Dorset on 17^th December 1982.

Information ends there regarding HL 3837 but her sister loco HL 3931 is currently based on the Ribble Railway, Preston. (My thanks to Barry Bull for this information).Leatherhead 1985

From the Hawthorn Leslie 3837 Preservation Society website

The Hawthorn Leslie 3837 Preservation Society purchased 3837 from Mole Valley District Council where she had been standing for over 25 years behind Leatherhead Leisure Centre.

The loco is now based at Isfield, East Sussex at the headquarters of The Lavender Line for restoration.

After a working life of 35 years at Corby Steelworks, Northamptonshire and many years languishing behind Leatherhead Leisure Centre, 3837 now requires your help!Leatherhead 2010

We are always on the look out for volunteers and people who would like to get involved in the restoration project and become members of our society, so if you are interested please contact us

– See more at: http://hawthornleslie.typepad.com/#sthash.YLo6oCeY.dpuf

http://www.hl3837.orgFinal touches to the paintwork

Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era – 1942 – ‘USA’ Class Southern Region 0-6-0T

Steam Locomotives of a More Leisurely Era

1942 – ‘USA’ Class

Southern Region 0-6-0T

Roger Monk sent these 2 photos of a model of the locos.

For anybody interested this was built in the 1980s from a white metal kit.  A ready to run version is due to be released in the near future.  A couple of locos of this type worked in the West Midlands – at the Austin (later BL & Rover) plant at Longbridge.  Details are in the IRS West Midlands Industrial Locomotives Handbook.

Origin – USA, Purchased by Southern Region – Dec. 1946, Driving wheels – 4’ 6”, Length 29’ 8”, Weight – 46 tons 10cwt, Water capacity – 1,200 US gallons, Designer – US Army Transportation Corps, Purpose – Heavy-duty Dock Shunting, Cylinders (2) – 16½”x 24”, Boiler pressure – 210 lb., Coal capacity – 1 US ton, Power classification – 3F.

A typically American ‘Switcher’ or shunting engine. Stove-pipe chimney and three domes, the centre one of which carries the whistle. Quite un-English in appearance. Outside cylinders and valve gear. Connecting rods drive on rear axle. Very wide cab necessitating special warning notice to shunters riding on steps.

Number series: 30061- 30074 (Total 14).

A total of 382 of these locomotives were built to this design by three American builders – Davenport, Porter and the Vulcan Iron Works.

After the war, forty two of these locomotives were stored at the War Department’s Newbury depot awaiting disposal. A number found their way to Yugoslavia but others were sold for £2,500 each to the Southern Railway at the end of 1946. The latter found the locomotive’s 10 feet coupled wheelbase very useful and they were allocated to Southampton Docks where they subsequently became very well known to British enthusiasts.. Indeed, some of these locomotives have survived and can still be seen working on preserved railways – I believe there is one the Bluebell Line, on on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and two on the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

The National Coal Board purchased three of the locomotives in May-June 1947 for use at its collieries in the north east. It would appear that their new surroundings were not to their liking and all three locomotives had short lives. Presumably their unusual pedigree posed a problem when major renewal was required. NCB No.32 (Davenport 2521 of 1943, number 4372) operated at Rising Sun Colliery and from Backworth Shed before it was scrapped in June 1954.

The other two locomotives – No.35 (Davenport 2509 of 1943, number 1944) and No. 36 (Davenport 2595 of 1944, Number 6006) worked on the Hartley Main system until they were scrapped in May and October 1953 respectively.

Museum News – New loan entries to the Chasewater Railway Museum.

Museum News

New loan entries to the Chasewater Railway Museum.

The photograph was taken by Bob Anderson.

During their visit to Chasewater Railway the Industrial Railway Society placed three loco nameplates and two worksplates on loan to join their other 18 items already in the museum. The nameplates are ‘Dreadnought’, ‘Pioneer’ and Lamport. The worksplates are from ‘Pioneer’ and ‘Lamport’.
The museum is most appreciative of this further loan as it demonstrates the confidence that the Industrial Railway Society has in the Chasewater Railway Museum.

The Sidings Tea Room, Industrial Railway Society visit plus other news

On 21st October 2011 Chasewater Railway were hosts to a visit by members of the Industrial Railway Society, including Rosalind Sirr, daughter of the late Eric Tonks, who put together the collection of locomotive nameplates, later donated to the Industrial Railway Society, who, in turn, loaned the collection to the Chasewater Railway Museum.The visit opened with tea and biscuits and a slide show on the first floor of the Museum.This was followed by a train ride behind Asbestos, the full length of the line – not cut off at the causeway as it was on the previous visit, for the IRS AGM when the causeway was closed to allow for a culvert to be built into it.Asbestos in Chasewater Heaths Station.

Ready to go.On return to Brownhills West all were treated to an absolutely first class buffet, put on by the new Hospitality Manager, Craig Wilkinson and his staff in the Sidings Tea Room, I cannot remember having a better buffet anywhere! I tried most of the items on offer – all delicious – taking care to leave room for at least two sweets (I wish I could have eaten more!)Anyone thinking of trying the Sunday Carvery which starts on 23rd October should be in for a real treat!

Derek Hayward brought along his latest acquisition – a beautiful Bassett Lowke ‘0’ gauge model Peckett.

This model is available in two colours, the red one is called ‘Wenman’ and the green ‘Joseph’.

Tailpiece – the gruesome twosome!

Industrial Railway Society – Letter of Thanks

Chasewater Railway Museum curator Mr. Barry Bull has received the following letter of thanks from the Industrial Railway Society in appreciation of their successful visit for the Society’s 2011 AGM.  Barry , in turn, would like to pass on his thanks to all Chasewater Railway members who helped to make the visit so successful.

Industrial Railway Society Day at Chasewater Railway. 16-04-2011

Industrial Railway Society Day at Chasewater Railway.

 The Chasewater Railway was honoured to host the Annual General Meeting of the Industrial Railway Society on Saturday 16^th April 2011.

The day started with the unveiling of the Eric Tonks Collection of locomotive nameplates and worksplates, this was, of course held in the Museum.Following this, and many photographs, a number of rides down the line with ‘Asbestos’ and ‘Linda’ taking turns in hauling the train.  I think that ‘Colin McAndrew’ was in steam later.Pic by oakparkrunner

The Marston’s Baguley diesel shunter and the Class 08 were also put through their paces.

There was a buffet lunch on the first floor of the Heritage Centre which was well appreciated – well done Linda and Mavis and anyone else involved.

The Annual General Meeting was held after lunch, followed by more railway activity.Pic by oakparkrunner

Our visitors’ book bears testimony as to how well Chasewater Railway’s efforts were appreciated.  Well done everyone.

Running Saturday 16th April – Baguley 3410/1955

Baguley 3410/1955

Baguley 0-4-0 diesel mechanical 3410/1955.

Built with a Gardner type 6L3 engine of 150 brake horse-power and fitted with Wilson-Drewry transmission.  The original livery was middle green with unusual dark blue buffer beams.  The loco was delivered new to Marston, Thompson and Evershed brewery, Burton-on-Trent, February 1955.

Rail traffic declined and the brewery went over to road traffic only and the loco (No.4) was sold to Bristol Mechanical Coal Co. Ltd., going to their Filton Coal Concentration Depot c12/1966.  New, the loco had cost £8,918 and its subsequent resale price was £2,925.

By March 1990 the loco reappeared at Marston’s, having been brought back for display.

Later, No.4 went to Barrow Hill Roundhouse, Staveley, Derbyshire and saw a little use there before arriving at Chasewater.