What future for Meldon Quarry’s D4167 / 08937 ?

[Amlag]

This loco after many years use at MQ and then latterly loaned by Aggregate Industries to the Dartmoor Rly until end of 2019, then in 2020/1 used for shunting and despatch by road the numerous items of stored rolling stock, was itself finally despatched ‘up country’ by low loader lorry on Fri 16/5/25, but to an unconfirmed destination.
Does anyone know more of its current location and fate ?

 

[50002Superb]

Reported on Shunterspot that it might be off to Merehead

 

[Amlag]

This loco might now become a Battery Electric conversion for Aggregate Industries.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Dartmoor Rly Assoc. reporting that it has, indeed, gone to Merehead.

Dartmoor Rly

Some members may have seen recent posts on social media sites referring to the departure of the BR class ‘08’ shunter 08937/D4167 from Meldon quarry.

In late October 2024 we were made aware of the likely sale of Meldon Quarry. A new company, Meldon Aggregates Limited, arrived in January. Since then it has been encouraging to see how the site, including the sidings, has been cleared and re-opened already for aggregate sales by road. We have been pleased by the open engagement the new company has had with the DRA committee. They intend to use the railhead to reach the London market, and are starting the process for triggering the funding of the re-laying of the line to Meldon to the same standard as the rest of the Dartmoor Line.

Meldon Aggregates Limited would have liked to have retained the 08 locomotive for shunting operations. However the engine, affectionately known as ‘Bluebell Mel’, although 'left behind', was not part of the quarry sale and Aggregate Industries finally withdrew it to the Mendip branch of their operation in mid May.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I wonder what condition it is in and whether it will work again. A shame to see it go as it was always a Devon allocated loco and one I worked with many times.

 

[childwallblues]

Went on a railtour to Okehampton many years ago and 08937 hauled us in two preserved coaches to the end of the line.

 

[trainmania100]

Interesting the above quote says the line being restored to the same standard as the rest of the line. Should restore any doubts of material being transported by rail.

Went to merehead a few weeks ago, unfortunately many hoppers blocking my vantage point of the yard. Obviously tried to view from the wrong angle.

Unlike whatley, merehead is a bit of a pain to view.

 

[Invincible]

Went on a railtour to Okehampton many years ago and 08937 hauled us in two preserved coaches to the end of the line.

Stocklist - Dartmoor Railway Association, Okehampton, Devon

"In May 2025 D4167 disappeared up the A30 on a low loader, apparently to another Aggregate Industries site in the Mendips. We don't think it's coming back."
They still have 2 coaches and Brake wagons at Meldon (although have had problems with vandals), maybe one day the Dartmoor Railway association might be able to rent a loco, or DMU, and run occasional tourist passenger trains on the 2 mile track from Oakhampton to Meldon station (for walks over the Meldon Viaduct bridge) again?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jun 2025 ==

Dartmoor Rly Assoc. reporting that it has, indeed, gone to Merehead.

Dartmoor Rly

 

[Ashley Hill]

They still have 2 coaches and Brake wagons at Meldon (although have had problems with vandals), maybe

Perhaps putting them in the bay at Okehampton and restoring them would be an option,certainly more secure than Meldon.