Hi all. Today I was at Statfold to help with preparations for tomorrows summer Open Day. I left work at Midday and proceeded to Tamworth along the A444. Once there and changed I walked around to find my rostered engine: Peckett 0-6-0ST "Harrogate". Built as works number 2050 of 1944 in the firms Bristol works, "Harrogate" spent her working life at Harrogate Gas Works. Acquired for preservation by the Ffestiniog Railway in 1957, the engine moved to Boston Lodge works. The engine was eventually deemed unsuitable for use on the FR in 1987, and a new home beckoned. The engine was moved to the Bredgar & Wormshill Railway and made it to full running condition. Unfortunately, once again, the Peckett was deemed unsuitable for their line and another ownership change was on the cards. This time, the then small Statfold Barn Railway stepped in and gave the engine a home. Since then, she has become a popular and reliable performer and has even returned to her original preservation haunt: the FR. I believe the engine had the flanges removed from her centre axle at the SBR which has greatly improved the way she copes with sharp curves and points...
I lit the engine up this afternoon to warm her through for tomorrow. She also received a good polish of her tank and cab side. Luckily, the engine was already pretty clean as she is, in effect, freshly painted. Her 10-year overhaul (which took just 2 months to complete!) was finished just weeks ago and the engine looks pristine. Tomorrow we are on the High Level Railway, sharing duties on one of the coach sets with Bagnall "Isibutu": it should be a great day. I left the SBR at just after 5pm in order to get home for tea. The loco was simmering away to herself and should be in good shape for tomorrow. Thanks for reading all, Sam...
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