Ben
| Ben | |
|---|---|
 Shortly after arrival | |
| Home Railway | F&WHR |
| Original Railway | Corus Steel, Shotton |
| Status | Awaiting rebuild |
| History | |
| Built by | Hunslet Engine Co. |
| Built | 1985 |
| 2010 | Arrived on WHR |
| Technical | |
| Wheel Arrangement | 4wDH |
| Length | 15 ft 5 in |
| Fuel | Diesel |
| Locomotives | |
Ben is a shunting locomotive awaiting 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.
The names "Bill" and "Ben" are likely a reference to Wilbert Awdry's 4-wheeled China clay twins, because of their small size and yellow paint.
Ben was moved, by road, from Dinas to Boston Lodge in May 2019.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Peter Johnson on the Industrial Railway Society Yahoo Group, message dated 19/2/2010
- ^ "Ben arrives at Boston Lodge", Inside Motion, 15 May 2019