After hearing about the news that the late Adrian Shooters Beeches light railway collection is coming up for auction in June, there has been some concern raised about the potential fate of his B class (N.o 19.B or 778).
For context, this B class for those that don't know is significant in its own right owing to the fact it was the only one of its class to leave India, and as a result India did make it illegal for any B class locos to leave the country after 19B left. In preservation it spent time at Hesston steam museum Indianna, until bought by Adrian Shooter in 2000 for the Beeches light railway.
The Darjeeling tank trust do seem to have some good plans and motives with regards for the loco providing they can raise the funds. They will plan to base it at Statfold Barn but will tour the loco round to local narrow gauge lines that can support the 2ft gauge track for the loco. I am not a member of the trust, however, i do see this as a valuable cause for narrow gauge enthusiasts like myself as apart from 19.B, the only other place you can see them is in India (Mainly at the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the most famous user of the class) and to many a trip out to the DHR isn't cheap or easy to do.
The loco could end up in private hands behind closed doors or get exported overseas so i do recommend if you are interested in seeing the loco running for the public to see in the UK, checking out the Darjeeling tank trust page in the link below if you wish to support them.
www.darjeelingtank.org.uk
For context, this B class for those that don't know is significant in its own right owing to the fact it was the only one of its class to leave India, and as a result India did make it illegal for any B class locos to leave the country after 19B left. In preservation it spent time at Hesston steam museum Indianna, until bought by Adrian Shooter in 2000 for the Beeches light railway.
The Darjeeling tank trust do seem to have some good plans and motives with regards for the loco providing they can raise the funds. They will plan to base it at Statfold Barn but will tour the loco round to local narrow gauge lines that can support the 2ft gauge track for the loco. I am not a member of the trust, however, i do see this as a valuable cause for narrow gauge enthusiasts like myself as apart from 19.B, the only other place you can see them is in India (Mainly at the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the most famous user of the class) and to many a trip out to the DHR isn't cheap or easy to do.
The loco could end up in private hands behind closed doors or get exported overseas so i do recommend if you are interested in seeing the loco running for the public to see in the UK, checking out the Darjeeling tank trust page in the link below if you wish to support them.
Home | Darjeeling Tank
Our Trust is hoping to buy Darjeeling Tank 19B so that it can stay in the UK and be enjoyed by all.
www.darjeelingtank.org.uk
