However after Kevin released his NGG16 Garrett Locomotive, I've been working on series of reskins to represent other possable WHR Liveries.
Big thanks go to Kevin for be being full suportive and very helpfull.
I therefore present Welsh Highland Railway NGG16 Locomotive No.139.
A bit of history....
Back in 1995 when the Ffestiniog Railway Company approached the Alfred County Railway in South Africa to provide Garrett locomotives for newly proposed Welsh Highland Railway, the FR earmarked 5 locomotives for use on the WHR. These were nos. 138, 139, 140, 142 and 143. All were from the same Beyer-Peacock batch of 1958. Not long afterwards the FR lost number 140 to a group of German and Swiss Enthusiasts who bought the locomotive with the intention of persevering it in South Africa. Releasing that there was a competitive market for these locomotives, the FR reserved the remaining 4 locomotives. This was then taken to its logical conclusion with the formation of a contract to purchase, restore and overhaul two examples, Nos. 138 and 143. These were subsequently restored and imported to the UK, and today operate as intended on the Welsh Highland Railway. Number 140 meanwhile was donated to the railway after a decision to abandon the proposed project to operate that locomotive in South Africa. In 1998, the FR were just about to set-up a further contract for Nos. 139 and 142 to be restored and imported to the UK, in time for the 1999 season, when the Transnet Heritage Foundation, placed a Ban on steam exports from South Africa. As a result Nos. 139 and 142 are still ‘trapped’ in South Africa, standing in a very derelict condition at the Classen Siding, at Paddock, Alfred County Railway. They are in theory however still reserved for the FR and as the steam ban may only apply to unique survivors of a class, an attempt to import them may be made in the future.
In my 'flight of fantasy’ I have imported number 139 and painted it in a possible future Welsh Highland Railway Livery: Dark Lined Blue, complete with WHR Number Plates and ‘WHR’ on the rear ‘tender’. The screenshots below show the locomotive on its own and double heading with 143.
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Racing a Crossville bus…
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….the Bus won!
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Cheers
Bruce
(Sorry for rambling, hope you find it interesting
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