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Magnificent steam loco to return to North Yorkshire A 90-year-old steam locomotive is to return to North Yorkshire when it's restoration is complete. The Illingworth Engine, built in 1916, hauled cement supplies and workers up to Scar House Reservoir in the Yorkshire Dales until the closure of the lone in 1936 when it was sold to Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd., renamed 'Harold', and worked upon the building of the huge Ebbw Vale steelworks. It was sold to Mowlem's in 1940, and once again carried out war duties, this time at Swynnerton and Ruddington, taking the name 'Swynnerton'. In 1946 it worked on the Workington breakwater project and then Mowlem's Braehead power station before being consigned to scrap in 1957. Thankfully the engine survived intact, passing through several owners but never on public display. Stephen Middleton heard of the existence of the sole surviving Nidd Valley locomotive, at Great Fransham Station, near Swafham in Norfolk, tracked it down and negotiated its purchase. On completion of the restoration the engine will run regularly through North Yorkshire on the Bolton Abbey and Embsay Railway. For more information on this magnificent engine visit the Friends of Illingworth website.
05.10.06 |
