Avonside 1883/1922
Delivered new to Haunchwood Colliery in North Warwickshire coalfield, the locomotive was transferred to Arley Colliery on closure of Haunchwood.The engine received a new boiler in 1950, manufactured by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock, and a new inner firebox in 1961, manufactured by Hunslet of Leeds, with a new tube configuration.
The engine was purchased from Baddesley Colliery by the Dinting Railway Centre, arriving in Dinting during July 1975. After a retube and minor repairs, the locomotive was steamed regularly for brakevan rides. The engine was last steamed in April 1981, when it was stopped for a complete boiler overhaul.
On the closure of the railway centre, the engine was purchased by the present owner in July 1990, and moved to the Fleetwood Locomotive Centre, and then to Preston – arriving on 5th April 2002.
The Loco will be returned to steam after a full overhaul in the RSR workshop.
