Primrose No. 2

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This locomotive has been one of the main engines for the railway since it arrived until relatively recently. The first photograph shows it in September 1976, shortly after arrival as it stands in Embsay Station being inspected. It had previously worked at Peckfield Colliery, Micklefield, for the NCB, having been built in Leeds by Hunslet in 1952, works number 3715, to their standard 16″ design.

Primrose emerged from overhaul in December 1989 and went back into traffic, performing very well on the line as it was extended first to Stoneacre Loop and then on to Bolton Abbey. The locomotive is very capable of the job it has performed, and can handle six coaches with apparent ease, even though there is a good climb from Bolton Abbey back towards Embsay.

Towards the end of 1999, however, there was a setback for the locomotive when it was discovered to have a crack in its firebox which was deemed to be unrepairable. As it was nearing the end of its boiler certificate, a decision was made to withdraw the engine, pending a full overhaul which will see it fitted with a new firebox.

Primrose has now been removed from site by it’s owner (September / October 2022), pending overhaul elsewhere, with the possibility of a return to Embsay on the cards once the overhaul is complete.

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Steam: Operational fleet

Steam: Pending restoration

Steam: Since departed