Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Company CLG has finally achieved its ambition to own a steam locomotive following the decision of the National Trust UK to donate a steam locomotive to the charity.
The locomotive known as Kettering Furnaces No. 3, is 3 foot narrow gauge, built by Black Hawthorn & Co in 1885. The locomotive spent the whole of its working life on the 3 foot Kettering Coal and Iron Company Ltd system in Northamptonshire. The railway closed in 1962 and the locomotive was soon after transferred to the Penrhyn Castle Museum where it has since been preserved indoors by the National Trust.
The Kettering Furnaces No. 3 locomotive, last fired up in the early 1960’s, is complete including all brass work. However, it will require considerable work to bring it back to full operating condition so that it meets all the current safety requirements of the Commission for Railway Regulation in relation to the operation of steam on a heritage railway.
WSVR Board has entrusted the restoration of this unique locomotive to an engineering works in the North of England which has extensive experience in the manufacture of new build locomotives as well as the restoration of steam locomotives similar to the Kettering Furnaces No. 3 locomotive.
The restoration will be carried out in several phases, each to be determined following assessment. It will be an expensive but rewarding project. For instance, if a new boiler is required, which is very likely, the cost will be in region of €100,000.00. The total restoration is estimated to be €250,000.00. Along with the considerable cost of restoring the Kettering Furnaces No. 3 locomotive a number of infrastructural changes at Kilmeadan Station will be required to facilitate operating with steam.
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway Company CLG will fundraise for each phase of the work. If you would like to see a steam locomotive once again journey along the banks of the River Suir, please support this exciting project. As a registered charity all revenue generated is invested into the development of the project.
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