IN addition to securing Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) Sharp Stewart B-Class 0-4-0STT (3518/1888) No. 19B, and two replica DHR passenger carriages at the June 21 auction of the late Adrian Shooter’s railway collection (RM Headline News, July), The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust also bought several (but not all) works plates related to the loco.
Other items sold at the auction included Hunslet diesel 9349/1994 which was purchased by the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway (hammer price £14,000), while the replica Scindia State Railway (India) carriage which employs two Hudson bogies fitted with twin-pipe air brakes (£5000) was purchased by The Braxted Bakery for the line being developed in Witham, Essex.
Also sold were Simplex diesel 21619/1957 (£15,000), Model T railcar (£25,000) and Post Office Railway Car No. 760, later renumbered 37 (£1600).
TAKING SHAPE: Kerr, Stuart 4wDM 4415/1928, Britain’s oldest surviving diesel locomotive, was displayed at Porthmadog Harbour station on June 24/25, showing the progress made on restoring the bodywork to original as-built condition rather than its cut-down post-1929 form. The body panels are presently bolted together pending a substantial amount of riveting to fully complete the work. The distinctive sliding louvered wooden side screens which have been made were put in position to enhance the impact of what has been achieved. The engine is still being rebuilt by a specialist contractor.
CLIFF THOMAS