Hudswell Clarke D1171 was built in 1959 for the Port of Bristol Authority, where it was numbered 30 alongside the steam fleet.

Port of Bristol Authority No. 30, Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Works No. D1171 Built 1959 awaits it’s next duty at Portishead Docks 10th June 1975. (Courtesy Chris Perkins http://transportmedia.smugmug.com/keyword/Portishead%20Docks )

After being replaced by the Sentinel diesel locomotives, D1171 was sold to the Western Fuel Co. and based at Wapping Wharf. It was used to shunt the fuel depot sidings and regularly ran trip workings to and from Ashton Meadows sidings. During this time it carried the name ‘Western Pride’.

Western Fuels Diesel Locomotive at Bristol Docks, Summer 1981. (Courtesy Anthony K. Pearce via Wikipedia Commons)

Western Fuels ex PBA 0-6-0 D1171 standing at Wapping Wharf, July 1979 (Courtesy Kevin Redwood)

Western Pride on the wharf in 1982 (Courtesy John Law)

Feb 1980, ‘Western Pride’ departs Ashton Meadows bound for Whapping Wharf (Courtesy Kevin Redwood)

In 1983, ‘Western Pride’ sits inside the depot compound. Photo appears thanks to James Hilton – https://paxton-road.blogspot.com/

In 1981, D1171 required heavy repairs and the BHR hired ‘Henbury’ to shunt the yard and haul coal trains for several weeks.

In Western Fuel Co. markings, ready to pull coal trains, 27/09/1981 (Courtesy John Chalcraft)

Henbury meets Western Pride on the wharf in 1981 (Courtesy Mike Radford via the Bristol Rail Archive)

When the fuel depot closed, D1171 was purchased for preservation and taken to MoD Long Marston for storage. Restoration began after many years stored in the open, and more recently the loco has moved to the Whitwell and Reepham Railway in Norfolk.

Thanks to Aaron Browning for the photo of D1171 in the shed at Whitwell.

D1171 at Whitwell 15/09/20 – Aaron Browning

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