The Moseley Railway Trust is pleased to confirm two more
visiting locomotives for the 2017 railway gala at the Apedale Valley Light
Railway.
Continuing the theme of the event – which is the Kerr,
Stuart locomotive company of Stoke-on-Trent - is Kerr, Stuart 3128. This is one
of the iconic “Wren” class locomotives. This locomotive has had a particularly
interesting career, including crossing the Atlantic four times! It was built in
1918 for a factory at Avonmouth which supplied Mustard Gas to the British
forces fighting in the First World War; after the end of hostilities, the
factory became the National Smelting Company producing zinc products. In 1959,
the loco was exported for preservation to Canada. The loco was returned to the
UK in 2013 and was restored at the Statfold Barn Railway to full operating
condition. It was returned to its owner in Canada; tragically, problems in
Canada prevented its operation, and it returned to Statfold in 2016.
The visit to Apedale will be the first time that this
locomotive has operated away from its Statfold base; the Trust wishes to thank
Graham Lee, Henry Noon and the Statfold team for allowing the locomotive to
attend the event.
The second locomotive is also a Wren – but a much more
recent incarnation. The modern successor to the old Kerr, Stuart company is the
Hunslet Engine Company, based at Statfold Barn Their number 3905 of 2005 is
named “Jennie” and is now based at the Amerton Railway, near Stafford. Owned by
the Gully family, the locomotive has previously visited a number of UK narrow
gauge railways, but will be a first-time visitor to Apedale. The Trust is
grateful to the Gully family for facilitating the loan of this fascinating
locomotive.
Phil Robinson, Moseley Railway Trust Chairman said “Having
two Wren class locomotives on site at Apedale will be really exciting. This is
the design of locomotive which most people associate with Kerr, Stuart. We think
that having five Kerr, Stuart designed locomotives in operation is a record in
preservation. It will be fascinating to compare two locos which are very
similar in design, yet are 87 years apart in age. This must surely be another
record – the longest production run of a product design!”
The “Stanhope Steam Gala” will be held on May 13 and 14.
Admission will be £6 adults, £3 children.
More details of the Trust and the Apedale valley Light
Railway can be found on Facebook or on the website here.
