‘Scene’ at Heritage Shunters Trust (HST) at Rowsley, Derbyshire.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

A bit about the ‘HST’ if I may.

Founded in 1989, the ‘HST’ is a trading name of ‘The South Yorkshire Railway Co. Ltd’ and is the only preservation society to specialise in the preservation of diesel shunters in the UK.

 

At one time located at Meadowhall in Sheffield the society now occupies a site alongside the ‘Peak Rail’ facility at Rowsley.

 

The Rowsley site in earlier days was a motive power depot of initially the 

‘Midland Railway’, then the ‘LMS’ and finally ‘British Rail(ways’) (BR)’ closing in 1968.

 

I was fortunate to go on a private visit to the ‘HST’ organised by ‘Sheffield Transport Study Group’ and I would recommend to anyone interested in ‘heritage shunters’ that it is a worthwhile outing.

 

BR Class 03

 

The 03 class were built at both Doncaster and Swindon. 

 

When the question 

 “What is the difference between the two workshops production”, was asked

 

the answer was

 “the hinges on the cab doors are slightly different in shape”. 

 

03027

 

Built at Swindon in 1958, it worked for ‘BR’ until 1976 when it was sold to Queenborough Rolling Mills in Kent.

 

Finally withdrawn and preserved in 1991. It passed through a number of owners before coming to ‘HST’.

 

A long term project which is still in need of much work.

 

03099

Built at Doncaster in 1960, it spent its ‘BR’ life in the North East being retired from Thornaby in 1976.

 

Sold to National Coal Products in 1976 for use at a number of coking plants before being cannibalised to keep D2139 operational.

 

Eventually cut down  to provide clearance whilst working in coke ovens, it was bought as almost a wreck. 

 

It has taken 7 years and many new parts to bring it back to its current condition.

 

03113

Doncaster built in 1973, it worked for ‘BR’ at York until 1975.

 

Sold to Gulf Oil at Milford Haven (MH) in South Wales for use at their refinery.

 

Withdrawn and presented to the ‘MH’ Maritime Museum in 1991 it stayed there until 2004 when because of its poor condition, It was finally withdrawn coming to the ‘HST’ where it was restored to working order in 2012.

 

D2139

 

Built at Swindon in 1960 and based at Gloucester.

 

It remained on ‘BR’ Western Region being withdrawn in 1968 and sold to A.R. Adams of Newport ,a loco dealer. 

 

It was leased it to the National Coal Board (NCB) for work in a variety of collieries in South Wales.

 

Sold to Gwent Coal Distribution for use at a coking plant, it finally moved to Monkton coking plant in the North East of England in 1985.

 

Bought by the ‘HST’ in 1992 and restored to working order.

 

D2199

 

Built at Swindon in 1961 and allocated to Speke Junction at Liverpool. It stayed in the North West until being withdrawn from Workington in 1972.

 

Sold to the ‘NCB’ at Rockingham colliery it last worked at Royston Drift Mine before being stored at Monkton. 

 

Sold to ‘HST’ in 1987 it was restored to working order and sent toward on the Euro Tunnel site at Dollands Moor before moving to Hanson Aggregates.

 

03180

 

Built at Swindon in 1962. It worked across the South being withdrawn from Norwich Crown Point depot in 1983.

 

Sold to Mayer Newman for use in their scrapyard the loco was sold to the ‘HST’ in 1991.

 

Having spent some time at the ‘Battlefield Line’ it came back to the HST in 2012 where restoration is taking place.