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"Covertcoat" is a 0-4-0ST 'Quarry Hunslet' built in 1898 by the Hunslet Engineering Company of Leeds as No. 679 to be used for shunting at Port Dinorwic as well as for use at Dinorwic Quarry. This locomotive was originally named "The Second"; it was later re-named in 1913 as 'Covertcoat' after the horse owned by Sir Charles Asheton Smith that won the Grand National in 1913. Sir Charles' family were the owners of Dinorwic Quarry - they typically named their new locomotives after their horses.

"Covertcoat" spent most of her working life at Port Dinorwic until 1925 when she was sent up to the 'Californian' level in the quarry. She fell out of use in 1959 and was later sold in 1964 to enthusiast John Butler, who preserved the locomotive for 20 years. "Covertcoat" was later purchased by the Launceston Steam Railway in 1984.

A replica of the locomotive's cab was re-designed to be of an open back design, an unusual take on the traditional Hunslet look. A tender was constructed in 1991 to provide a larger volume of water and coal to be carried.

Her firebox is not original, rather 20% larger than the one she had previously carried to allow for a bigger fire; therefore reducing the time it took to build pressure. This was built in 2006 along with a new boiler.

"Covertcoat" still resides at Launceston Steam Railway in steam to this day.

Gallery[]

Preserved steam locomotives in Cornwall
Museums Bere Ferrers Heritage Centre Hilda
Wheal Martyn Museum No. 1 Lee Moor
Poldark Mining Museum Falmouth Docks No. 6
Private VR No. 1103
Heritage Railways Bodmin Railway GWR No. 4612GWR No. 5552GWR No. 6435LSWR BR No. 30587RN No. 19 • PoP Alfred • PoP JudyWD No. 75178
Helston Railway No. 2 William MurdochPeckett & Sons No. 2000
Launceston Steam Railway Lilian • No. 89 PerseveranceCovertcoatDorothea
Lappa Valley Railway No. 1 Zebedee • No. 2 Muffin • No. 3 Ruby • No. 4 Ellie
Dinorwic Quarry Locomotives
De Winton WellingtonHarrietPerisVictoriaPadarn
Alpha Hunslets CharlieMinstrel ParkLouisa
Alice Class VelinheliKing of the ScarletsElidirRough PupCloisterBernsteinCovercoatGeorge B.Holy WarAliceMaid MarianIrish MailWild Aster
Port Class Lady JoanDolbadarnMichael
Tram/Mills Class Jerry MCackler
Other SybilCaledoniaElidir
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