Flat pack shunter comes home

A unique diesel locomotive that was built in the North East under bizarre circumstances is making a return this weekend.

Myfanwy was completed by the famous firm of Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns in Darlington during 1962. But in an unusual twist, the construction had actually been started 175 miles away in Staffordshire!

Work was begun on Myfanwy and two identical locomotives by the Stafford-based locomotive builder W.G. Bagnall in February 1961. But shortly afterwards the firm stopped building locomotives. Instead the parts that had already been finished were packaged up and sent to Darlington, where the three locomotives were assembled. Despite that the locomotives still wore the ‘Bagnall’ builders name on the front, hiding the work done in Darlington.

Myfanwy is the only survivor of the trio. When new it was delivered to the Royal Ordnance Factory at Pembrey in South Wales. The strangest part of Myfanwy’s industrial career came much later though, when it was rebuilt with a lower height to work on the Jubilee line tube extension project in London.

Now Myfanwy is making a return to the region it was built in to star in special event at the Tanfield Railway. The striking black and yellow locomotive is heading the railway’s ‘Diesel Pioneers’ event on September 20 and 21.

Tanfield Railway General Manager David Watchman said: “The North East pioneered commercial locomotive building. During 140-years or so the region built engines of all different shapes and sizes for railways across the globe. But Myfanwy is one of the most unusual stories.

“We’re here to celebrate the North East’s railway history, so it’s great to be able to tell Myfanwy’s story here in the North East where it was actually built … despite appearances.”

Myfanwy is normally based at the Foxfield Railway in Staffordshire. It underwent a full restoration to original condition that was completed in 2019. It is believed that this will be the first time it has returned to the North East since being built.

Myfanwy will be joining three of the Tanfield Railway’s own historic diesel locomotives. Ribblesdale Cement No. 6 was built in Leeds but ended its commercial life working at a cement plant in the centre of Newcastle, where it became the last industrial locomotive in the city. Tyne Improvement Commission No. 35 was built in Lincoln and worked at Albert Edward Dock in North Shields before being saved from scrap. 

But arguably the most historically important member of the fleet is Reyrolles No. 2. It was built in 1933 at Elswick by the famous firm of Armstrong Whitworth. It was one of the first commercially successful diesel locomotives ever built. It worked in Tyneside its entire life before being preserved during the 1970s.

“Everyone knows the North East played a pioneering role with steam locomotives, but in reality the region also had a massive part to play in the early development of diesel and electric railway locomotives too,” Mr Watchman added.

Trains are running from around 9am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Tickets can be booked in advance on the Tanfield Railway website, but are also available to purchase on the day.