Furness Railway No. 20 returns to action
Britain’s oldest working standard gauge steam loco back in traffic.
THE oldest steamable standard gauge steam locomotive in the British Isles has returned to service, following the completion of its overhaul by owners, the Furness Railway Trust (FRT).
Furness Railway No. 20 was built by Sharp, Stewart in 1863 as an 0-4-0 tender loco, before being sold to the Barrow Haematite Steel Co and subsequently converted to an 0-4-0ST.
Acquired by the FRT in 1990, the loco became the group’s flagship and was restored to original condition. It was formally relaunched into service on April 20, 1999.