Bill
| Bill | |
|---|---|
 At Boston Lodge. | |
| Home Railway | F&WHR |
| Original Railway | Corus Steel, Shotton |
| Status | In service |
| History | |
| Built by | Hunslet Engine Co. |
| Built | 1985 |
| 2010 | Arrived on WHR |
| Technical | |
| Wheel Arrangement | 4wDH |
| Length | 15 ft 5 in |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Locomotives | |
Bill is a shunting locomotive in use on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.
Overview[edit]
Two four-wheeled Hunslet diesels, with 115 hp hydraulic Ford engines, arrived at the Welsh Highland Railway's Dinas depot on 18 February 2010. They were builder's numbers 9248 and 9262 of 1985, obtained from a scrap dealer, but were previously owned by the Corus Coated Products Division plant at Shotton, where they worked in the Cold Strip Mill. They were originally 2 ft 6 in gauge, are 15 tons in weight, and flameproofed for safety. At Shotton Steelworks, they were numbered 1 and 2 respectively. It was stated that when regauged they would be allocated to Dinas and Boston Lodge as heavy shunters.[1]
The unit with the black radiator with No. 1 on its side, on the left in the second image, has been identified as works No. 9248, with the affectionate name Bill on the hood. Thus, the unit on the right, with No. 2 on the side and Ben on the hood, is works No. 9262.
During the restoration process an unofficial name, Reynolds Castle, was bestowed on 9248.<[2] This was removed prior to entry into service.
Bill was photographed in ex-works condition at Boston Lodge on 31st July 2016.[3] It was about to take up duties as works shunter at Dinas.
Gallery[edit]
-
Photo taken shortly after arrival. This is No. 1 - 9248 -
Photo taken shortly after arrival. -
Bill in ex-works condition at Boston Lodge in August 2016 almost ready to become the Dinas works shunter. Photo: F&WHR FB page.
References[edit]
- ^ Peter Johnson on the Industrial Railway Society Yahoo Group, message dated 19/2/2010
- ^ 'gwernol'; 'AndrewT'. "A day at Boston Lodge". National Preservation - Forums. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
- ^ "Workshops and Running Shed", Ffestiniog Railway Magazine, Issue 234, page(s): 406