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S134 Wheldale
These two photographs show Wheldale at work shortly before it was sold to the railway. They are both taken by John Furness and show Wheldale Colliery.
Wheldale is a standard Austerity, from one of the first batches to be built
by Hunslets. It was a development of their 18" 50550 class - to which
S112 belongs. It was built in 1944, bearing their works
number 3168. Although it is referred to by its NCB number, S134, it became
part of the Army's fleet, based at Bicester, as their No. 134 - it would
appear that the coal board simply added an 'S' prefix later! The photograph on
the right shows Wheldale on one of its first runs after entering preservation,
still in green livery.
Wheldale came to the railway from NCB Wheldale Colliery, Castleford, where it
had been at work until the early eighties. Whilst it was at Wheldale, two
ladders were fitted to the sides of the tank, to allow for easier access to
the tank filler. These have been retained and serve as a good way of
recognising the loco from old photos! The second photograph shows Wheldale
carrying a plain maroon livery, shortly before its first overhaul.
Wheldale was in good mechanical condition, upon arrival, but required a new
set of boiler tubes - thankfully the money was raised for these quickly, and
the loco was returned to service for a ten year spell until its boiler
certificate expired mid way through the 90s.
Supporting a fully lined maroon livery, Wheldale became one of the main
locomotives in the railway's fleet, and some publicity posters are still
available featuring this - notably the current poster which shows the loco in
Bolton Abbey Station, despite the fact it has not yet reached there!
Despite being sent away to Byworth
More photos of Wheldale at Embsay
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Wheldale is in full NCB Maroon, and also with her NCB driver, Colin Davies,
seen here on the footplate. The layout of the cab can be appreciated from this
view.
(c) M. G. Riley.
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Wheldale coasts into Embsay station from Bow Bridge Loop on a very quiet
operating day. Having loops at both ends of the line allowed Embsay 'box to be
locked out, requiring a signalman only at the beginning and end of the day.
That is why the signal to the rear of the train is 'off' although the train is
only just entering the station.
(c) M. G. Riley.
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Wheldale is currently being repainted in the new shed for static display on the line until the
funds are available for the overhaul to continue. A new saddletank is available, although it
won't be fitted until the overhaul is restarted.
(c) Tom Ireland.
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Wheldale is a standard Austerity, from one of the first batches to be built
by Hunslets. It was a development of their 18" 50550 class - to which
S112 belongs. It was built in 1944, bearing their works
number 3168. Although it is referred to by its NCB number, S134, it became
part of the Army's fleet, based at Bicester, as their No. 134 - it would
appear that the coal board simply added an 'S' prefix later! The photograph on
the right shows Wheldale on one of its first runs after entering preservation,
still in green livery.
