Sharp Stewart 0-4-0ST No 19
Built in 1889 by Sharp Stewart & Co. (Builder's number 3518) for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, B Class No. 19 (778 under the all-India number scheme) was withdrawn from service, overhauled at Tindharia works, and sold to a private owner in the USA, before being acquired by the museum in Heston on his death. Severely damaged in a fire which destroyed much of the building in which it was kept, it was returned to service before being declared 'non-core collection' and put up for sale.
Acquired by Adrian Shooter for his private 2' gauge Beeches Light Railway in Oxfordshire which was then approaching completion and is based in many parts on the DHR, 19B was restored at Tyseley with a Sharp Stewart pattern tender being added and entered service on the BLR in 2004 with two Boston Lodge-built DHR-pattern coaches. It has subsequently been joined by the Boston Lodge-built Parlour Car "Carrabasset" based on the preserved example from the Sandy River and Rangely Lakes line.
19B retains her original wrought iron boiler of 1879. Apart from the tender, modifications for the BLR include the addition of both vacuum and two-line air braking, air sanding equipment, a turbo-generator set (matching the current DHR specification, the original headlights fitted to the class being Wells oil-burning flare lamps), a higher cab roof, FR-style 'chopper' couplings and mechanical lubrication.
[edit] 2005
Restored No. 19 visited the FR in 2005 for the FR50 events together with its two newly built replica carriages. These were constructed, under contract, at Boston Lodge. During the event 19B worked mainly between Porthmdaog and Tan-y-bwlch, although the loco also worked a photo charter to Blaenau Ffestiniog during it's visit.
[edit] 2011
No. 19B and its two carriages returned to the F&WHR in 2011 in early September. This time the focus of its operation was on the WHR and the 2011 Superpower Event. It was also hoped to complete a journey over the full 40 miles of combined system during this visit.
- Sharp Stewart 0-4-0ST No 19
Newly completed engine at York, June 2004
Posing before a crowd at Harbour, May 2005
Storming through Penrhyn Crossing, May 2005
At Bron Madoc at the FR50 gala, May 2005
On the Spiral at Dduallt, June 2005
At home on the Beeches Light Railway
