Industrial Ferrybridge No3 "Wee Yorkie" Passes Boiler Test

Members of the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway have clubbed together with external sources to fund a complete rebuild on Ferrybridge No.3. locomotive known as "Wee Yorkie". To date the chassis and boiler have been overhauled, culminating in the boiler raising enough pressure today and getting passed by an inspector!

This is excellent news and will now enable the rest of the locomotive to be refurbished and put back together again in time for a planned steam gala in July 2010 where it will be unveiled to run on passenger services for the first time in preservation (and probably the first time ever!). The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, the charity supporting the railway, also hope to hire another locomotive for the gala as well as obtain a narrow gauge steam locomotive for the short line at Wirksworth.

 

Was this one of the locos that was stored in a scrapyard in Sheffield (I think) for some time?

 

I'm not an expert on this loco whatsoever but here is an extract from the railway's stock book:

“No 3: Wee Yorkie” spent its working life at the Central Electricity Generating Board’s
Power Station at Ferrybridge near Knottingly in Yorkshire, a period of some 16 years,
before being replaced in about 1970 by diesel engines." ........"...(it was) dispatched to store at Tinsley in Sheffield where they were to remain for some 35 years until being acquired on long term loan by the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association, who have agreed to restore them."

Them is referring to the other locomotive on site of the same type "Henry Ellison".

 

Fantastic news, might be a good idea to tie in with Bob G to ensure that your event does not clash with the traditional Foxfield Gala. You guys are welcome to send a stand over again this year.

I will be great to see this shy engine in steam, I remember sneaking around a a garage where they were stored many years ago. I guess the steam lorries are around and about somewhere ?. At the time they were in ex steel works condition.

 

Bob is one of the guys who is actively managing the restoration, so I don't think there will be any problems there! Unfortunately, I have no idea about the steam lorries though.

 

Spoke to Bob yesterday, need to keep two weeks clear as I have a good idea of the engine that you would like to visit.

 

I do not get involved with anything on the steam side whatsoever so haven't got a clue what is being organised, sorry.

 

Just some moderate interest... The boiler on test day.



Source: Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Association