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Annie
In 1908 the new paper mill of the Yates Duxbury Ltd. firm opened, and with it a railway system.
To meet the requirements of a shunting engine, the firm ordered a standard R1 design loco from the
Bristol based Peckett and Sons. The 0-4-0ST locomotive had 12" cylinders, and was named 'Annie'
from the start, carrying the works number 1159. All its working life was spent just outside Bury,
in the paper works, off the modern-day East Lancashire Railway's Heywood extension. Another two
locomotives also worked at the site, but Annie was the first there.
Over the years, Annie was maintained by Pecketts, receiving new boilers in 1928 and 1947, but when Pecketts went out of
business, the locomotives had to be repaired in-house, and consequently became some of the most run-down locos in Britain.
The photo at the top of the page shows Annie in 1967 ((c) R. Monk). In 1970, Annie was withdrawn, and became a target for
people - resulting in many bits going 'missing'. However, all three locomotives were preserved, with Annie initially going
to Bury Transport Museum. They realised that they couldn't restore her, and she was about to be scrapped when a YDR member
stepped in. The intention was that Annie would be put on a plinth behind the station at Embsay, but even this fell through
when the saddletank was discovered to be shot, as can be seen in the second photo.
In 1984 Annie was purchsed by John Furness who has since fully overhauled her after years of
neglect and open storage. This included a new tank and lots more work, but the result has (hopefully)
been well worth it! More recently, Annie has taken on the role of 'Percy' for the
Day out with Thomas events on the line. This can also involve
double heading with one of the other locos on the trains, but normally sitting in Embsay Station
and giving brakevan rides. In the same role, Annie has gone on hire to other railways, and clocked
up a fair few miles! She is also the normal locomotive for hauling the
vintage train and the Strawberry Specials under the
Stately Trains banner.
Since the overhaul, Annie has got progressively better, the initial problems with a hot box were
traced to one of the wheels being 3/4" larger than the other three, and this was rectified. On another matter,
Annie is now one of the best steamers on the line as it has had a brick arch squeezed into the
tiny firebox, a new lempor blastpipe, as well as the valves being set correctly. Prior to this it
had been losing part of a beat, and this was due to wear in a tiny pin - now corrected. The
change can be seen in the fact that Annie has now managed to haul a three coach train from Bolton
Abbey to Embsay, non stop. Not bad for a 12" Peckett on a five mile line with most of the run being
uphill!
Annie had an extension to the boiler certificate, but was withdrawn in February 2003 for a 10-yearly
overhaul, which should be completed speedily.
Photos of Annie under current overhaul at Embsay
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The steam crane was used to dismantle Annie to give access to its boiler for overhaul. The remaining
components were placed back onto the chassis and put back into store until the overhaul can start on them.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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When the boiler was placed down on the ground, Annie's owners got to work to strip it down for the inspector's visit.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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As it was already known that a new smokebox tubeplate would be required, John and Beth have removed the old one to be used as
a pattern for the replacement, and this should be made shortly.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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John is seen in the shed working on Annie's foundation ring, building it up with weld prior to grinding it down to the
correct dimensions.
(c) Tim Warner.
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While the boiler is away being overhauled, John and Beth and the rest of the department have started work on the components
on site, such as the new smokebox front seen here being drilled. The chassis is now in the shed and will be dismantled,
cleaned and put back together with any worn components being attended to as they are found. It is envisaged that the
eccentrics will require some work.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The chassis is currently up on stands to allow work to be carried out, and the wheels were removed for attention - tyre
turning.
(c) Tim Warner.
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With the wheels out, one of the axleboes was found to have suffered. Whilst it looks bad and requires repair, it has only
opened up again, and it is still well attached following a much earlier repair!
(c) Tim Warner.
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More photos of Annie at Embsay
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John Furness, Annie's owner, gets down to work on the main steam pipe during the loco's first overhaul in preservation.
(c) Stephen Walker.
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Annie's first movement - out of the shed at Embsay. At this stage she was still not complete as the coupling rods had not
been delivered in time!
(c) John Furness.
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Seen here at Bow Bridge, running as a 2-2-0ST for its first jaunt since withdrawl over 20 years previously.
(c) John Furness.
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Now completed, Annie poses for the camera at Bow Bridge with a demonstration (celebration?) train including the
Gresley Restaurant Car.
(c) John Furness.
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Annie runs around the train in Winter with some snow on the ground at Bow
Bridge Loop.
(c) YDRMT collection.
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A few seconds later this view was possible. The two photos could have been
taken at virtually any stage in the loco's life, anywhere!
(c) YDRMT collection.
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The final picture of the four (first one near the top of the page) shows Annie
running back towards the train on the loop road.
(c) YDRMT collection.
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Similar weather conditions are the feature of this photo showing Annie emerge
from Holywell road bridge with the passenger service. The small winter trains
are adequately dealt with by Annie.
(c) H. Meyer (YDRMT collection).
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Before the line was connected up, Annie steamed at Bolton Abbey station for
ITV's 'Action Time' who lead the rebuilding. Here Annie is seen on the length
of track alongside the partially completed station.
(c) Stephen Walker.
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Annie's other role is that of 'Percy' for the Thomas
events. Here 'he' is at Embsay awaiting the attention of coutless young fans!
(c) Stephen Walker.
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Annie heads the first train of the Vintage Weekend
with 68005 and visiting
loco Whiston. This was an operational necessity to get the locos to the 'start'
positions for the intensive running.
(c) Wendy Anderson collection.
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Annie approaches Stoneacre from Bolton Abbey with the Stately Trains carriages during the
Summer Vintage Trains service which runs
alongside the normal service. See the timetable for
details of when these are running this year.
(c) Tim Warner.
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As can be seen from the photographs, Annie is the normal engine for the
vintage train. Here an Embsay Tank Engine Club
Members' Day special is seen at Bolton Abbey.
(c) Matthew Bell.
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Annie is entering Embsay station with a Winter service train in early 2001.
Because the trains are light, it makes sense to use a smaller loco, and Annie
fits the bill very well.
(c) David Umpleby.
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Vintage Weekend 2001 saw Annie with the
THREE 6-wheelers (including GNoSR No. 34) entering Stoneacre Loop.
(c) Simon Gott.
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During the wintery weather, Annie sits in the carriage sidings, acquiring icicles on her tank.
(c) Rob Daniels.
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Annie's last few duties were P'Way turns with the relaying at Holywell Halt in early
2003. Seen here at Holywell Halt with the goods train containing a mini-digger on a flat wagon.
(c) Tim Warner.
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The mixture of snow and sun was great for lighting, but trying to work was rather difficult when things were frozen!
(c) Tim Warner.
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Annie sits in the cutting, with Holywell Bridge just out of sight to the right of the picture.
(c) Tim Warner.
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