The Colonel
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
This 20hp Motor Rail "Simplex" 4wDM (Builder's number 8788 of 1943) was purchased by Colonel Campbell of Dduallt Manor from St Alban's Sand & Gravel Co Ltd, Smallford, Hertfordshire. Fitted with an all-over cab, it arrived on FR metals on 15 July 1966. Kept at the Colonel's private siding, it ran on the FR by special arrangement, most notably when it was "borrowed" by Father Christmas to arrive at Tan-y-Bwlch during Santa Specials - made famous by the BBC television programme "The Campbells Came By Rail".
Absent on hire to the Llanberis Lake Railway from February 1977 to 8 June 1979, ownership was transferred to the FR on the death of Colonel Campbell in 1982. Given that if named "Colonel Andrew Campbell" everyone would have called it "The Colonel" anyway, it officially acquired the latter name.
It is generally based at Glanypwll yard and used there as yard shunter by the Civil Engineers, though it is an aquired skill to hand start it, particulary on a cold day. This is despite the fact it uses the more modern power unit transplanted from younger sister Simplex Sandra. It is the first engine many new volunteers get to drive, despite the small cab making hands-on teaching difficult. With a steady top speed of 10mph its main role is working the annual weedkiller train, though it is often used as brakevan for down works trains working over the summit at Tanygrisiau. Prior to installation of Glanypwll loop in 2004 it was also often used to shunt release arriving works trains.
The Colonel helped out on the construction of Phase 1 of the WHR(C) in September 1997. Here it joined Harold and assisted with ballasting around Dinas using the two ex-slate waggon ballast hoppers 168 and 171. The ensemble can be seen on Ben Fisher's web site.
Although The Colonel rarely makes it onto the FR main line under its own power, such occasions are marked by a cloud of smoke such as last seen when "Inflexible" chased "Admiral von Spee"...
[edit]References
- Bradley, Vic [1992] (1993). Industrial Locomotives of North Wales. London: Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 0-9010-9672-5. OCLC 27769657.
- Andrew Elms, and personal experiences.