Antigua Kerr Stuarts

Does anyone know of the current status of the 5 Kerr Stuart Brazil class locos dumped at a disused sugar mill in Antigua?
They were there in about 2002, I have tried to locate them on google earth where [I think] the mill is but the resolution is so poor I just can't quite make it out.

 

There are more than 5 locos. All of the locos from the mill are ostensibly owned by the Betty's Hope Trust. I enquired about these locos over 15 years ago and met with a very substantial rebuff. At the time, there was apparent resentment that JOAN had left the island and that other items, such as works-plates had been taken by "The English", make of that what you will. Of the locos, 3 or 4 of the more or less complete locos were removed for "safe keeping" by the trust to their premises, photos taken 15 years ago show these as very derelict, I would assume that their condition is far worse today. As for the locos left behind at the mill, these were mainly boiler-less hulks, very derelict and fast disappearing in the undergrowth; it would be nice to know if they still survive.

I believe that Alan Keef attempted to rescue one or more of the locos, he makes a reference to this in his book, A Tale of Many Railways: An Autobiography and History of Alan Keef Ltd, it seems that he ran into the same local resistance. The trustee that I had contact with was an American who then lived on Antigua, I wonder if he is still around. I have file relating to my contact with Antigua, when I find it, I will get back with any further relevant information. Cheers, Alan

 

Thanks, that's quite comprehensive, funny about the reaction to Joan, its probably difficult for them to appreciate that what Joan is now is not what they would have left today.

 

Your initial enquiry has prompted me to have a trawl thro' the web, this has thrown up the following newsletters of the Historical and Archaeological Society of Antigua and Barbuda. Reading the various news items concerning the locos, it seems that they all still survive, 8 steam locos, plus other diesel and petrol locos, including a protected WW1 Motor Rail. Present activity centres around the cosmetic restoration of one of the Kerr, Stuarts and the possibility of restoring the motor Rail to full working order. The Museum on Antigua have enlisted the help of a couple of UK based individuals, one of whom, if it is who I think it is, may have "form" with the acquisition of many locos and other pieces of rolling stock over the years as a trader, scrap-merchant, if it is the same person, I wonder if the people on Antigua are aware of his "track" record and what could happen if he got hold of the remainder of the locos??

One loco has not been listed, that is GEORGE, the Brazil Class that was built by Hunslet. GEORGE was, I believe, the last loco to work on the island; when work ceased on the railway, the loco was used as a stationary boiler and then abandoned. Unfortunately, the area where GEORGE was left, was cleared and the loco dumped and buried on the island's rubbish tip, it is probably still there. At least something positive is now happening with the locos after more than 40 years rotting.

Links to the newsletters:

http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Newsletter 3rd qtr 2011final pdf.pdf

http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Newsletter 3rd qtr 2011final pdf.pdf

http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/HAS Newsletter 2013-3 (1).pdf

Cheers

Alan

 

KS 3025 of 1917 arrived at Portsmouth 13/10/2013 and moved to Brian Gent, Hampshire, 28/10/2013. For sale I understand. Very rough condition.

 

The locos were:

Sir Neville Lubbock (KS Tattoo 857/1904)
Sir Gerald Strickland (KS Tattoo 858/1904)
St Johns (KS Tattoo 1005/1904)
#1 Edith (KS Brazil 3025/1916) - this loco is pictured in the KS catalogue in photographic livery as "BRAZIL"
#2 Lena (KS Brazil 1098/1910)
#3 Judie (KS Brazil 4209/1920)
#4 Marion (KS Brazil 1178/1911)
#5 George (Huslet Brazil 1989/1938)
#6 Lucy (KS Brazil 1313/1916)
# Joan (KS Matary with Huxley Boiler, 4404/1927)

The railway was officially dieselised in 1956, but Joan and a few others with comparatively new boilers carried on running. Despite this Joan appears to have been well maintained receiving a boiler washout at least once every week. At some point around 1960 the locomotive was then placed in hibernation within the locomotive shed at Gunthorpes Mill. Following a ruinous drought in 1965 the sugar company became bankrupt in 1966. From 1967 the nationalised Antiguan Sugar and Estates Development Board ran the estate, mill and railway. In an attempt to diversify No.5 “George” hauled Tourist trains under the pseudonym “Sunshine Choo-choo” (sic) along a 5-mile stretch of the line between 1968 and 1973, whilst Judie and Lucy remained serviceable for shunting and as mobile steam suppliers.

The erratically worked system declined and by 1972 it comprised of less than 30 miles. It was then only being used during the cutting season (between January and July). The line closed in 1974. The mill today is a heritage museum. “George” was to find a new home at the island’s airport as a static boiler for a fuel farm. However, in 1985 the boiler was condemned and the locomotive was dumped on a beach where it quickly rusted away in the salt air. Our impression at Llanfair was that Edith, Lena and Marion were exported to the US by a private collector, who also was said to have tried to guzump the W&L purchase of Joan, howover the Antiguan Sugar & Estate Development Board honoured their agreement with the W&L.. clearly this was incorrect,​

​

There was however a lovely tale in Joan’s Antigua adventure. In 1920s a Mr. J. Cockburn travelled out to Antigua to become the railway’s fitter and relief driver. He retired in 1960 and moved to Arddleen, between Welshpool and Oswestry. Just for a moment try to imagine his surprise when in March1973 he visited his local heritage railway and discovered that one of ‘his’ locomotive had independently followed him across the world almost to his doorstep…​

 

Thanks for the update Ken, looks like the dealer got the deal done!!

Cheers

Alan

 

That is truly remarkable Gareth. I think that we have all experienced the shock of finding a loco far from it's presumed location at least once in our gricing days, but that must have been a real "I don't believe it!!!" moment for Mr Cockburn when he slapped eyes on JOAN just a few miles from his home; a wonderful story.

All the best

Alan

 

A few pictures here of Judie and an unidentified 0-4-2ST

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colinchurcher/sets/72157607342775956/with/2866052596/

Princess Margaret does a spot of gricing whilst on a visit to Antigue in 1955
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/princess-tours-antigua
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=38983
(not quite sure which link works)

 

Due to go to Antigua in 2015, will try and visit the Museum and see if I can get photographs. Some of the Cane Railway is now run as a tourist railway for the Cruise Ships that call.

 

Interesting photos Gareth, a shame that the locos were allowed to deteriorate so much. The Pathe clip is a belter, good to see Roland Emmett namechecked as a possible creator of the loco!!

Cheers

Alan

 

Hope that you enjoy the trip and a report of the situation would be welcome. As for the cane railway, I think that you may be confused with the operation on St. Kitts which is well established as a tourist railway, will you be going to St Kitts as well?

Cheers

Alan

 

Thanks everyone for the replies, I was most encouraged by the work done on 'Marion' and it seems the other locos will not be forgotten.
good stuff.

graham.

 

Intrigued to read the museum newsletter. It seems that in a country with no railway traditions it has to be explained what a railway sleeper is. On reflection, I suppose it is not so surprising really.

Paul H.

 

I found an intact "George" in 1977 acting as a stationary boiler at the fuel jetty which I recall being on the north coast of Antigua - it had "Sunshine Shu-Shu" (sic) painted on the tanks.

Richard

 

Subsequently KS 857 also arrived in the UK. I understand that KS 1098, KS 1313 and a couple of diesels will also be coming.

 

I never quite understand how these imports are pulled off, because one hears that these derelict locos are jealously guarded and various people have tried and failed to purchase locos. What changed?

 

Guessing, ragl gave a clue in his post of 28/11/2013: "The Museum on Antigua have enlisted the help of a couple of UK based individuals," - helping to restore four of the island's locos has resulted in a quid pro quo of being able to acquire some of the others. Maybe it is payment in kind? (I stress I don't know though; I am guessing.) But anyway, different from a simple approach to purchase.

 

Are all the imported ones going to Brian Gent? It'll be interesting to see where they end up given the relative paucity of 2'6" gauge lines, and that they're probably too small for the W & L, and that the SKLR have more than enough already. Perhaps they'll end up being regauged to 2ft. (What a shame there wasn't another example of the Matary class!

 

Yes, Brian Gent, aka FMB Engineering Ltd.