Does anyone here know anything about the four rusty Barclay shunters in the yard of an old factory to the east of Kirkaldy station on the north side of the line. They've been there ever since I first went past. Nobody seems to have touched them for a very long time, and I have to wonder what they're doing there any whether they can be got out for future restoration.
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Barclay shunters in Kirkaldy
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sprinterguy
Veteran Member
They're still there? I saw them when I first travelled on the route in 2004, and ever since I have been extremely curious as to why they are there and what the story behind this is. I assumed they would have gone by now, but seemingly not. Couldn’t quite remember exactly where I’d seen them, except that it was somewhere around Kirkcaldy.
Now that I’ve got a bit more info, I’ve discovered that they even appear on Google streetview, and on the Google satellite image. The factory warehouse style building they are stored by looks like it could be a scrapyard. The location, if anyone wants to have a look, is at the end of Den Road. Four standard design Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 saddle tanks. Most peculiar.
Now that I’ve got a bit more info, I’ve discovered that they even appear on Google streetview, and on the Google satellite image. The factory warehouse style building they are stored by looks like it could be a scrapyard. The location, if anyone wants to have a look, is at the end of Den Road. Four standard design Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 saddle tanks. Most peculiar.
madannie77
Member
The Industrial Railway Society's 15EL has these listed as 0-4-0STs 946 of 1902, 1069 of 1906, 1807 of 1923 and 2262 of 1949. Also listed for this site (Thomas Muir Haulage) are three 0-4-0 diesel hydraulics, Barclay 515 and 516 of 1966 and North British 27732 of 1957. All are listed as out of use, which is not difficult to ascertain for the steam locos from a quick look on Google Street View.
sprinterguy
Veteran Member
Ah great, some info on the locos! 
I've done some internet research, and it turns out some other folk have been curious about these on another forum about five years ago:
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=38852&start=0
So, we now have further information:
They are ex-NCB locos from, probably, the Wemyss system, and have been at that location since the early eighties. It is indeed a scrapyard: Thomas Muir Scrap Merchants.
The locos were previously numbered:
No 3: 946 of 1902.
No 22: 1069 of 1906
Unnumbered: 1807 of 1923
No 7: 2262 of 1949
The diesel hydraulics are also mentioned, apparently stored in the building.
I've done some internet research, and it turns out some other folk have been curious about these on another forum about five years ago:
http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic.php?f=143&t=38852&start=0
So, we now have further information:
They are ex-NCB locos from, probably, the Wemyss system, and have been at that location since the early eighties. It is indeed a scrapyard: Thomas Muir Scrap Merchants.
The locos were previously numbered:
No 3: 946 of 1902.
No 22: 1069 of 1906
Unnumbered: 1807 of 1923
No 7: 2262 of 1949
The diesel hydraulics are also mentioned, apparently stored in the building.
madannie77
Member
Alan Brotchie's book on the Wemyss Private Railway has only No 3 (barclay 946/1902) as being owned by that concern. It was withdrawn and sold in 1973 to Thomas Muir, so it has probably been in that yard for over 35 years!
Some info on this website: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=4761
Barclay 1069/1906 appears to have been new to Oakley Collieries as their No 1. The number 22 might well refer to Bowhill Colliery No 22: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=4699
Barclay 1807/1923, Valleyfield Colliery No 53 http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=5018
Looks like someone else has been looking at these locos:
http://derelictionaddiction.fotopic.net/c1626360.html
Some info on this website: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=4761
Barclay 1069/1906 appears to have been new to Oakley Collieries as their No 1. The number 22 might well refer to Bowhill Colliery No 22: http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=4699
Barclay 1807/1923, Valleyfield Colliery No 53 http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=5018
Looks like someone else has been looking at these locos:
http://derelictionaddiction.fotopic.net/c1626360.html
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Mvann
Member
There was a piece about those engines in railway bylines a few years ago now.
BritishRail.tv
Member
Facinating - would love to see some video of them! Anyone local to the area?
robertclark125
Established Member
Me. But I don't know exactly where they are. Anyone want to fill me in please/
madannie77
Member
In a yard at the end of Den Road in Kirkcaldy, just to the north of the main line:
Google Streetview of the location
robertclark125
Established Member
I know where Den Road is. I'll not be able to get there till probably next Wednesday. I'll try and find them then.
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