N^o 613

© Bowes Railway
0-6-0 DH
Andrew Barclay N^o 613 of 1977
ex Westoe Colliery

In the mid 1970s, although a few steam locomotives were still working most of the NCB's North East Area locomotives were diesel, but many of these locos were reaching the end of their useable lives, and under-powered for the work they were doing.

Following changes in administration procedures it was decided to have a major clear out of old and redundant locos and replace them; but with what? They decided to purchase brand new locos from private builders (as opposed to second hand as sometimes happened previously) and to continue a policy used by South Durham Area of using Andrew Barclay diesels. For nine years, beginning in 1973, no fewer than 20 new locomotives were either leased or purchased. One of these was N^o 613 of 1977 which was built to a standard six-coupled design.

N^o 613 was delivered to Dawdon Colliery in 1977 but worked there only briefly before moving to Ashington Colliery in November 77, where it was to work for the next nine years. Early in 1986 it was overhauled at Barclay's works in Kilmarnock and transferred to Westoe Colliery in December 1986. It worked there for three years until 1989.

Due partly to colliery closures and partly to the introduction of rapid loading systems, (operated by British Rail) at the few remaining collieries many of these locos had short lives.

N^o 613 was purchased privately by Bowes Railway chairman, Phillip Dawe in August 1989 and brought to Springwell, a representative of the last common type of locomotive to work at North East collieries - and a loco less than 20 years old!

The loco is in working order but is currently awaiting insurance inspections of its air brake reservoirs. Too large for regular use at Springwell, the engine is used only on special occasions.

This page last updated 30 March 2008