This weekend there will (hopefully) be the chance to ride behind an ex-PBA diesel shunter, in Norfolk!
From the Whitwell and Reepham Station Facebook Group. Photo Credit: Dan Knights
Operational notice! We have been dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s but this Saturday, we plan to haul the first passenger official passenger trains with D1171.
Part of our Vintage Transport Weekend. Diesel Saturday and steam Sunday.
D1171 was built by Hudswell Clarke in 1959 and delivered to the Port of Bristol Authority (PBA), being registered by the British Transport Commission (BTC) to operate over parts of the nation railway network as required in the Bristol area. Although delivered in 1959 it was built in 1958. PBA had many locos constructed by Hudswell clarke.
Initially working for the PBA at Avonmouth docks, she later worked at Portishead docks. The loco was then sold to British Fuels LTD moving to their coal handling facility at Princes Wharf in Bristol City Centre. Then moving to Filton site after the Wharf closed. Named Western Pride. D.1171 made her last trip along the BHR in May 1987, on an overnight move to the coal depot at Filton. Purchased privately in April 1989 with the long term intention of being moved to the Avon Railway at Britton. The loco never reached Bitton and was moved to the MOD site at Long Marston in September 1990 for storage and saw limited use. The loco was fitted with vacuum and was finally laid up due to a gearbox issue. The gearbox was fixed in 2006 and work was undertaken again to restore. But again sadly later stopped. She was eventually moved to Whitwell in 2017 where restoration has continued, including a new clutch and painting it back to its PBA guise.
D1171 is powered by a 204 hp Gardner 8L3 engine and is very similar to a Class 03/04.