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'Thomas' (formerly 'Dorothy')Dorothy first came to the railway in the 70s, and was left in the sidings as a lot of work was required after its industrial career. It was a 16" 0-6-0 saddletank engine, built by Hudswell Clarke (1450) in 1922, having formerly worked at British Steel, Scunthorpe. In appearance it was very similar to Slough Estates No. 5, but smaller. A start was made on its restoration, and the boiler was tested back in 1992. Since then little work was done due to a number of circumstances. The photo shows No. 8 as it was on arrival at Embsay. Thomas the Tank Engine has proved very good news for this little engine, as it is currently being converted into this form. The reasons for doing this are numerous - it is a very small loco, and so would be unsuitable for services over the whole line, and the remainder of the loco was in appalling condition. Consequently the decision was reached to convert it into 'Thomas', and a completely new superstructure has been made and fitted to this end. Currently it is having the finishing touches put to it, possibly including a new set of rods as the others are very worn and may not be suitable. The second picture shows Thomas as 'No.8' (the number originally allocated to Dorothy), perched on the end of the shed base, the boiler having been overhauled (certified 1992), and fitted with a giesel chimney. This was as far as the owners got until 'Thomas' came to the rescue. The chassis were known to be poor, but the full extent of this was only discovered during its recent overhaul and conversion. Despite the boiler being certified so long ago, it needs no further work as it has not been used since the test.
Despite earlier concerns about the state of the rods, they were tested and found to be perfectly suitable for further use,
although the crankpins in the wheels needed replacing and a lot of work has been done on the brasses for the rods which had
a tendancy to run hot. It would have been much easier with hindsight to build new frames for the loco! Anyway, after a lot of
hard work, the loco has begun to prove itself capable, venturing outside the shed on numerous occasions for running-in trips,
as well as hire to other lines. It has served as Thomas for the last few Easters, although this year it can well and truely
claim to have been fully serviceable. 140 has one more booking as Thomas before No.8 takes over
allowing 140 to enter traffic at Embsay after a repaint.
More photos of Thomas at Embsay
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