Bassett Lowke's Little Giants - Where are they now?

Both the UK-based Class 20s were badly damaged by fire at Southport in 1931. King George is, at least officially, a rebuild of Prince Edward of Wales, while sister engine No. 21 - originally built for Southport and named Prince of Wales! - became Princess Elizabeth. However, The Little Giant Story says that the "rebuilds" were very extensive and may even have involved new frames for both locomotives.

The history of the Little Giants is a minefield! As Anthony said, The Little Giant Story really is the "bible", if you can get hold of a copy.

 

Just of topic what is the history of the locomotives at Blackpool pleasure beach railway .

 

Very simple. The three Hudswell Clarke steam outline diesels were new there in 1933 and 1935. That's it really, apart from the works loco BARBIE which came from Alan Keef in 1998 having previously worked on peat bogs near Eastriggs.

 

Back in the 1960s I was taken to the amusement park at Belle Vue, Manchester. There was a miniature railway with a live steam 4-4-2. It appeared to have some Wild West appendages, but might have been a BL or a Barnes loco. Anyone have more info? or possibly a photo taken at Belle Vue?

 

Quick Google found this:

 

Seeing this thread reminded me how sad I was to find out the Bassett Lowke shop on High Holborn is now a McDonalds… for ages I assumed it had been the old Beatties shop near New Oxford St, now also disappeared, but apparently Beatties had moved from the old B-L shop a while before.

Simon

 

Belle Vue had both a Barnes Atlantic (as per the photo) and a Bassett-Lowke class 30, no less than "Synolda" in the case of the latter. I can't remember which Barnes it was, a friend of mine drove them in the 70s.

 

According to Robin Butterell's 'Miniature Railways' the Barnes Atlantic was #103 "Railway Queen" formerly "Billie" of 1924.
Ray.

 

Who built the loco's

I understand that Bassett Lowke didn't do much/any manufacturing themselves

 

Bassett-Lowke built the locos in Northampton, some of the boilers were by William Allchin in the same town

 

Can anyone update on locations of:
- Little Giant
- Red Dragon (the loco most recently called this!)
- Mighty Atom (aka Prince of Wales)
- King George V (formerly of Carnforth, was and may still be in California)
- Princess Elizabeth (ex-Prince of Wales, formerly of Carnforth, was and may still be in California)
- King George (ex-Prince Edward of Wales, appeared at Fairbourne gala a couple of years ago)
- Count Louis

And yes, I may have got some of them confused!

 

- Little Giant - NRM
- Red Dragon (the loco most recently called this!) - Rhyl Miniature Railway, although with a different identity now
- Mighty Atom (aka Prince of Wales) - Cleethorpes MR
- King George V (formerly of Carnforth, was and may still be in California) - it is.
- Princess Elizabeth (ex-Prince of Wales, formerly of Carnforth, was and may still be in California) - it is
- King George (ex-Prince Edward of Wales, appeared at Fairbourne gala a couple of years ago) - not sure about this one
- Count Louis - based at Denver Light Railway in Bloxwich, but I think currently at the Ratty.

John

 

Yes Count Louis is at the back of the shed at the ratty

 

Many thanks

 

Thanks John. Any idea where the Guest 4-6-2 "Prince William" formerly at Evesham and Steamtown is?
And what about Guest 2-4-2 "Sian" ex-Fairbourne?
Good to see "Katie" back in regular use, though.

 

Sian is at the Windmill Farm Railway

 

I love the Guest sisters! First seen by me at Fairbourne back in 1972, they're beautifully proportioned locos. I was so glad when "Sîan" was de-ruined a few years back and as happy as larry when "Katie" (now at Kirklees) got a new boiler.

Shame "Ernest W Twining" is steadily rotting away in the Land of the Rising Sun. Allegedly underpowered for the Shujenzi Romney Railway, it could do with the sort of makeover given to some of the Bure Valley locos.

 

I have to agree with you about the sisters. Very attractive machines and surprisingly capable and economical. Sian visited the Ratty for their centennial celebrations and was well thought of.
Earnest W would make a good subject for Mr Day to be let loose on after he has finished River Esk. It won't happen but they wouldn't be able to complain about "underpowered" if it should come about.

 

S'pose it depends on whether or not it forms any part of the SJR's future plans. A casual glance at EWT makes me wonder if the problem is rooted in the same areas associated with the BVR ZB's in original condition. If you're not familiar with the issues, this url has a link to an interesting piece detailing the rebuild of BVR No.9 "Mark Timothy" which may be of interest: http://www.steam-loco-design.co.uk/zb_article.html

Although pretty sure it wouldn't find favour on the RH&D, I reckon the loco would look rather fine pounding up La'al Ratty. Wonder how quickly @Nigel Day will get bored once "Esk" is back in harness?

 

Has anybody got the money to build an esk 3 with even greater improvements. That’s what I would like.

EWT is an old gent which is not right to make him into somthing he is not. Make him work proper yes.