The photograph above shows the Hudswell-Clarke Diesel as it nears completion of its reconstruction at the end of the winter 2010/11.
This 0-6-0 diesel mechanical locomotive was built by Hudswell, Clarke and Co. Ltd. in their Leeds, England workshops in 1965. Works No. DM1366.
As a mine locomotive it worked for the National Coal Board, North East Area at Harden Colliery, Co. Durham, England. In 1975 it was overhauled at the Ashington Workshops.
In 1977 it was transferred to Seaham Colliery, returning in 1983 to Ashington workshops for a further overhaul, and in 1985 back to Seaham.
In 1990 DM1366 was sold to Mr. John Bailey of the South Tynedale Railway, Alston, Cumbria, where it was partially restored and modified up until Mr.Bailey’s untimely death in 1998.
In May 1999 the partially restored locomotive was sent to the Yorkshire Engine Company, Sheffield, England for completion, returning to Alston in October of that year.
During 2002 it was tested and used on passenger trains on the South Tynedale Railway, but from 2003 to 2006 it remained out of service and was then sold to the Bredgar & Wormshill Light Railway.
It duly arrived at the BWLR on Wednesday 29 November 2006.
Big moment as Hudswell-Clarke DN1366 is rolled off the transporter at Bredgar
The Hudswell-Clarke Diesel as it first arrived at Bredgar.
It has since been vastly rebuilt with 4 feet being removed from its length and width narrowed to 6 ft. 1 in. A cab has been built on the opposite end to the original and this has entailed a complete new set of controls being constructed.
The reconstruction completed during 2012.
