Claytons come to Bowes

Three Clayton battery locos are now located at Springwell. The aim is to use them in exhibiting and demonstrating the narrow gauge underground vehicles that are part of the Bowes collection.

5920/1972 is a 1'6" gauge loco. This belonged to Miller Plant, latterly Morgan EST. The loco was acquired from a subsequent private owner in 2004.

5921/1972 is 3' gauge. This belonged to NCB/British Coal Ellington Colliery and was donated to Bowes Railway by UK Coal in May 2005. The fact that the works numbers (5920, 5921) are consecutive is a remarkable co-incidence!

B3060/1983 is 3' gauge and was similarly owned by NCB/British Coal Ellington Colliery and donated to Bowes Railway by UK Coal in April 2005.

Both of the ex-Ellington locos worked at Bewick Drift, on the surface.

The builders' shed at Springwell has been cleared out for storage of these locos. They stand on 3' and 1'6" track, which will be extended out onto the area alonside the main shops at Springwell. The intention is to have the locos operating in the colliery yard on open days.

5921 arrives unceremoniously at Springwell on a fork lift ( © P Dawe)

This page last updated 15th July 2005