The Simplex
The Simplex is better known as Mary Ann. The loco was not originally named when she arrived at the FR and was known as The Simplex when she became the first loco to work on the revived Ffestiniog in 1954 following Alan Pegler's acquisition of the FR Co on 24th June 1954. And so, during FR50 events the loco is once again in 1950's condition, unnamed and known as The Simplex.
Built as a 4wPM in 1917 for service in World War 1, The Simplex is one of a small number of survivors from that conflict built for the Ministry of Munitions by the Motor Rail and Tramcar Company of Bedford, England. Designed for the use of the War Department Light Railways just behind the front-line in France, they were built with varying degrees of armour plate protection for the driver, to reduce the risk from bullets and shrapnel. Three types were produced: Open, Protected and Armoured. The power unit for all three variants was a Dorman 4JO petrol engine coupled to a Motor Rail patent two speed Dixon-Abbot gearbox. A number of the later-build models did not make it to France - the furthest they reached was a Ministry supply depot in Purfleet. These locomotives were sold on and, after repatriation, others were re-constructed following the war. For more details, and a history of the Simplex name visit here.
The Festiniog Railway's example is a blend of the frames & running gear from an "Open" type Simplex & "Protected" type bodywork butchered so it appears as "Open" Type bodywork. It was purchased for the Festiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in July 1923 from The Kent Construction & Engineering Co of Ashford, Kent, at a cost of £350 and was used mainly for shunting the wharves at Portmadoc and Minffordd, replacing a steam locomotive in these duties. Petrol costs were higher than desirable, and at the recommendation of Colonel Stephens the engine was adapted to burn kerosine (otherwise known as paraffin or TVO - 'tractor vaporising oil') once warmed up, bringing running costs down to around 60% of those of a steam locomotive. Stephens had hoped to use it on winter passenger services on the WHR, but the Board of Trade refused permission; it proved satisfactory for shunting and level work but could only cope adequately with two bogie carriages on the gradients of the main line and could not be used in passenger service without fitting a vacuum brake.
Its identity is not definitively known. It carries the builder's plate 507 of 1917 but this locomotive is recorded as having been rebuilt by Motor Rail for the Leighton Buzzard sand railway. Given that the FR example still has its builder's plate, one might suspect that the Leighton Buzzard one was identified incorrectly by Motor Rail from its engine number. As the FR Simplex was fitted with the bodywork from 596, a "Protected" locomotive, this is plausible. It is easy to understand that parts were exchanged in wartime or by dealers such as Kent Construction who made up complete locomotives from War Surplus equipment.
Early photographs such as this one on the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum site show that it was supplied with armoured plate on both ends and with a canopy fitted with visors, but without the armoured doors originally fitted to "Protected" locomotives, this made it an "Open" Type.
On 23rd July 1955 the Simplex hauled the first passenger services on the reopened FR and in 1960, the Dorman petrol engine was replaced with a diesel engine from the same maker, replaced again in 1969. In 1971 the name MARY ANN was officially given (plates replacing the painted-on name) and the following year a canopy was fitted that was claimed by some to be reminiscent of that fitted to the "Protected" locomotive type, but to others more resembled the roof of a pagoda. A member of the engineering fleet, she was outclassed by later and more modern additions to the diesel stable, but her historic importance was not forgotten.
Recently she has had another overhaul, which included re-installing her petrol engine, a new fuel tank made, chains & sprockets replaced, a new bonnet and a larger radiator added along with numerous other jobs, including a re-paint. The locomotive no longer carries a name.
*Date: 2004 *Photo: Martin Ellis
*Date: 2007 *Photo: William High
[edit] References
- Bradley, Vic (1993). Industrial Locomotives of North Wales. London: Industrial Railway Society. ISBN 0-9010-9672-5. OCLC 27769657.
- Weaver, C Rodney. Festiniog Railway Locomotives. Leicester, England: AB Publishing. OCLC 59838875.
- Colonel Stephens Railway Museum
[edit] See also
- Mary Ann for more on her name
- FR Locomotives
- Locomotives Used On The Original WHR Or Its Constituents
