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No.2150
0-6-0ST
Mardy Monster
Builder: Peckett & Sons
Built:
1954
Weight:
55T Boiler
Working Pressure:
200psi
Tractive Effort: 29,527 lbs
Cylinder Dimensions: 18” x 26”
Heating Surface Area: 921 sq ft
Grate Area: 19.1 sq ft
Status: Operational
No. 2150 was built by Peckett & Sons, Bristol, in 1954
and was one of only three of the OQ class constructed. The locomotive weighed in
at 55 tons with cylinder dimensions of 18” x 26” the heating surface is a
massive 921 sq ft with a grate area of 19.1 sq ft. Driving wheels of 4 1/2 ft
and a working pressure of 200 lbs per square inch makes this loco the most
powerful industrial steam locomotive ever built in the UK. Adding all the above
dimensions together, the nominal tractive effort is 29,527 lbs at 85%
efficiency, which compares to a 7F on British Railways.
With this in mind, it is little wonder that the engine was
nicknamed the “Mardy Monster.” The picture shows the massive size of the OQ
Class Peckett. Maerdy is a small town in the Rhondda Valley where No.2150 and
its twin sister No. 2151 spent all their working lives at the very steeply
graded Maerdy Colliery. Its loud staccato exhaust beat could be heard for miles
around as it heaved heavy coal trains of up to 45 wagons up the steep colliery
inclines. The locomotive remained in service until 1976 when it was withdrawn.
After No. 2150 was withdrawn, it stood idle for three years before being
purchased for preservation on the embryonic Swanage Railway. It had a little
work done on it before being abandoned in favour of main line locos which were
more appropriate for the expanding Purbeck line. After 18 years the engine was
purchased for the Elsecar Railway, Barnsley, and restoration has continued
steadily.
Now the restoration, costing nearly £70,000, is
complete. On the 21st/22nd June 2003 the locomotive was
launched into regular passenger traffic on the Elsecar Railway. Dignitaries
including the Mayor’s of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and the Lord Mayor of
Sheffield were all in attendance for the Relaunch. At the official launch
weekend, held in early summer 2003, a Male Voice Choir from the Maerdy area and
a Colliery Band and Male Voice Choir from South Yorkshire were present to take
part in the festivities.
The locomotive was completely overhauled during 2006 following an incident at
another railway in 2005. Please use the drop down box below to view
photos of the Mardy Monster.
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