Scaldwell Restoration To Steam

Peckett 0-6-0ST “Scaldwell” of 1913
Works Number 1316, built at Atlas Works, Bristol, for the Lamport Ironstone Company, Northampton

The Trust is very pleased to announce that we have become the owners of a remarkably-complete three-foot-gauge steam locomotive. “Scaldwell” has been part of the Amberley Museum for many years, but no longer fits into their collection (as their onsite railway is two-foot-gauge): Amberley contacted the Trust to see if we wished to be shortlisted as potential future owners. We were then chosen to receive this important asset, which is a tribute to our growing reputation within the heritage railway movement: we are very grateful for the confidence in us shown by the Amberley Museum.
Although the locomotive is not, of course, a Sharp Stewart, and differs in design from our own locomotives, it has its own history, being a very rare genuine Bristol-built three-foot-gauge locomotive, which worked in the essential ironstone industry during the First World War. It is considerably more powerful than the SR’s ‘Sharpies’.
As it has been in the open for some years, it has quite a bit of superficial rust and damage – but the basics are good, as far as we can ascertain: Peckett had a reputation for over-engineering their products. It is remarkably complete, with almost all its fittings intact – and the locomotive even comes with a spare set of unused wheels and axles!
SRT will need to raise funds to transport “Scaldwell” to Suffolk: it is hoped that the Membership will be able to provide these. If we don’t quite make it, donations from non-members will be sought. The first stage after transport will be to stop further deterioration. After that, we will cosmetically restore it for display at our new railway attraction in Southwold: volunteers are capable of doing this work. In the longer term, we plan to restore it to working order, and this fund is being established for that purpose: grant aid may well be possible, as this locomotive has historic importance.

Friends of Scaldwell Facebook group