Ralph (Granton Gas Works No.5) comes to Beamish…
Following discussions that first began in 2010, I am delighted to report that the National Museum of Scotland has agreed to lend us their two foot gauge Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T ‘Ralph’. Built in 1903 (and rebuilt in 1912) the locomotive, of pared down specification with no bunkers, small water tanks and no driver comfort, was built for use at Granton Gas Works in Edinburgh. Later, a second Barclay was added – ‘Jack’ as preserved by Nick Williams and a visitor to one of the temporary contractors railways at the Great North Steam Fair.
Ralph is with us initially for three years, within which time we will assess the locomotive and see if overhaul to working order is feasible/desirable. If so, and we have the means to expedite this, then the loan period can be increased accordingly. If not, the engine will be kept intact and in its very original condition.
Ralph will make his debut at the Great North Festival of Transport, when I hope to reassemble various removed items and give him a clean. Now, a thought – what about reuniting the two Granton engines for the first time since both were at the gas works…
As further research into No.5 (which also seems to have carried the name ‘Esme’, I will publish it on the blog and in due course, on a stocklist page for this locomotive. So that’s now four narrow gauge locomotives resident at Beamish! We just need some more line to run on…
Below: Two views showing Ralph in store before embarking south, on what I think must be the engine’s first trip to England, on the back of one of Websters’ familiar BRIMEC/HIAB lorries (and thanks to driver Alan for enduring a long wait for me to get out of Beamish – two hours from Colliery to entrance gate! – and a lengthy run in some very poor weather conditions.
Below: Two views showing Ralph arriving and after unloading in the very late afternoon gloom – apologies for picture quality but the shutter speed was very slow and the ISO pushed to 1600!
Below: A reminder of the other Granton narrow gauge engine – No.9 ‘Jack’ owned by Nick Williams. Some subtle alterations have been made, mainly to improve Jack’s endurance – so larger tanks and two coal bunkers have been added. Otherwise though, the resemblance is very apparent. Photo courtesy of Nick Williams.
Saw this on the back of a wagon in a layby on the A1 in Scotland yesterday and wondered where it was off to. Now i know!!
What a lovely little locomotive – will there ultimately be an indoor display space for the narrow gauge locomotives, or will they stay on display in the standard gauge shed?
Would it be possible to arrange to come and look over this? i am presently Building a 7 1/4″ gauge model of dougal as on the WLLR but as it has been modifyed so much in preservation it is no longer as it was in industry.
Hi Jordan – no problems coming to look at Esme though it should be remembered that Dougal, an ex Provan loco, was wider in gauge and also, I think, a little larger, than the Granton locos. However there is bound to be family similarity between them and I have not studied the Welshpool loco (which I think has been altered in a number of ways to make it more practical to operate) to fully understand the differences between the two gaswork’s engines. Esme will be on display over the 11 – 14th April and 18 – 21st April along with the other surviving Granton engine, now named Jack.
Hope this helps?
Jordan
Are you aware of the drawing of the Provan locos published in The Engineer magazine from 1904 which may be of help with a model. I have a copy I can let you have if there is a way of sending a copy to you.
HI andrew my email address is volunteer@lms-patriotproject.org.uk i would be very interested in seeing a copy of the article,
Paul i shall try and get up north to see esme over the steam fair! i was aware dougal is wider and a different gauge but other than cylinder orientation i think that they are more or less the same. the Model will be a practical representation of the type as built (practical as it will be expected to do work!)
[…] Another google search will lead you to Beamish Transport Online where you will see an article from 2013 showing that ESME (later renamed to Ralph with the number 5) is on-loan to the Beamish Museum: http://beamishtransportonline.co.uk/2013/01/ralph-granton-gas-works-no-5-comes-to-beamish/ […]