More on the Granton Gas Works locomotive…
I have been deliberately cautious with the title of this post… Nick Williams, owner of ex Granton locomotive No.9 (now known as Jack) contacted me with some extremely useful information regarding the Granton narrow gauge locomotives and their history. It is also a useful correction for some previously accepted fact and shows that you can never be too careful when studying photographs or conducting research. The upshot is that the engine at Beamish is not Ralph, as thought, but is in fact Esme. Thanks to Nick and his extensive research I can explain…
In 1903 the Edinburgh and Leith Gas Commissioners took delivery of their first narrow gauge locomotive, Andrew Barclay No.988, at Granton and named this engine Esme. In 1905 a second locomotive, Ralph (Andrew Barclay works No.1051), was supplied to the Commissioners. In 1920 the gas works was taken over by the Edinburgh Corporation Gas Department, a move which perhaps precipitated the numbering of the steam locomotives there and the loss of names. Thus Esme became No.5 and Ralph No.8 (No.s 1, 2, 3, and 4, and later 6, 7, 10 and 11 all being standard gauge locomotives). In 1925 another Andrew Barclay of the same design was supplied, works No.1871 – fleet No.9, Finally, a fourth of this ‘class’ of powerful 0-4-0Ts was added (works No.1999) and took the fleet No.12.
No.8 was scrapped in around 1930, and clearly some interchange of components place as there is evidence to suggest No.8’s boiler is now that carried by No.9, Jack. No.5, the former Esme, was sold to J. H. Farr (the President of the Scottish Traction Engine Society) in 1961 and was later purchased by the National Museum of Scotland following its display at Biggar Gas Works Museum for a number of years.
No.12 was scrapped in 1963 while No.9 was sold to Dr R. P. Jack in 1966 and later to Nick Williams. Nick advises that Dr Jack also purchased a narrow gauge Hudson Hunslet diesel locomotive, No. 2927 which was supplied for use at the gas works in 1944. This locomotive is understood to have been scrapped in the last decade. A search online reveals a photograph of a derelict No.9 in the early 1980s long before restoration to its current fine condition.
To summarise then:
No.5 988/1903 (formerly named Esme) and now at Beamish
No.8 1051/1905 (formerly named Ralph) and scrapped in c1930
No.9 1871/1925 (no name at Granton but now named Jack)
No.12 1999/1933 (no name) – scrapped in 1963
Below: Three photographs supplied by the NMS and one with acknowledgement to the Pilton Elderly Project Group. They show a line up of gas works engines probably taken in Edinburgh and Leith Gas Commissioners days and so suggesting the engine to the left is Esme (No.5). Also shown are close up view (again pre 1920?) of Esme and Ralph, and finally one of No.9 (now Jack). I hope I have acknowledged the sources correctly and would welcome clarification of photograph’s sources if anyone knows. The gallery below is opened by clicking on one of the images, which should then appear un-cropped.
So, I hope this helps clarify the situation! Interestingly, study of the photographs reveals a number of differences, not least the height of the weatherboards. So further scrutiny will no doubt bear fruit including a study of Esme, as we shall now call No.5, and the stampings on the components of this locomotive…
hi paul—delighted to see no. 9 “jack”on your site.
The original pic is mine — i gave a digital copy of it to the granton history group a few years ago—-i am very happy to see it on your web site so no probs there.
It shows my grandfather thomas reynolds on the footplate.
He told me the locos or at least some, were named after the then works managers daughters/children.
I am so pleased and surprised to hear that it has been preserved and would love to visit and do a present day view of me on the footplate.
Would you be kind enought to let me have nick williams contact details so i can discuss this—-with the promise of a high res copy of the original pic by way of thanks
best wishes
mike cooper
Hi Mike – could you e-mail me directyl at pauljarman@beamish.org.uk and I’ll pass on your details to Nick re the granton engines. Sorry this had taken a while to respond to.
Best wisehs
Paul
Do you have any info on the Skips that the gasworks used , they dont look to be the hudson type with the spoked wheels and im rather curious to trace them
I was an apprentice engineer in 1959 and saw the diesel being commissioned for the narrow gauge at Granton gas works. A beast to start
They were low to fit under the retorts and remove ash.
Look back on my year at Granting as a great education.
I was also there when they tried to get the deisel engine working. If I remember, thet had to use some solvent in the intake.
As an apprentice engineer I was doing a turn in the workshop.
My time in Granton was something I will always remember with gratefulness and good memories.
I’m loveing all the pictures and information on the locomotives as a child my father Kenneth Bell drove the railway lorrys from up leaith walk station i loved going out with my dad for the day with him years after the pictures being seen and outher members of the familly work for the railway they would love seeing the old railway being done up its a pity they just kept some of the line so that people and kids could go back and forward as far as the peer at Newhaven and back to the old now new train station money could have been made for the upkeep of the lines I for one would have love a run in one and back again maybe one day in the futcher I can dream but it would be great for the kids to have seen a working one to Newhaven and back then they could feel what it was like in they days it’s a pity they didnot think it through it would have been a wonder to see its sad to loss a bit of history as it was.