Dinorwic Quarry No.1 'Lady Joan'

Dinorwic Quarry No.1 'Lady Joan'
Overview -
Loco Type:	Saddle Tank Engine
Gauge:	1 ft 10 3⁄4 in (578 mm)
History -
Name:	Lady Joan
Former Names:	No.1
Livery:	Dinorwic Lined Red
Sibling Locomotives:	Dinorwic Quarry No.2 'Dolbadarn' Dinorwic Quarry 'Michael'
Manufacturing Details:
Builder:	Hunslet Engine Co.
(b/n) Builder's No.	1429
Build Date:	1922
Service:
Former Railways:	Dinorwic Quarry Railway
No.	1
Fleet No's:	1
Disposition:	Operational
Wheel Arrangement:
Whyte Notation:	0-4-0ST

Quarry No.1 'Lady Joan' is a 0-4-0 Port Class saddle tank built by Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd., Leeds, England in 1922 (works no. 1429) Built for Dinorwic Slate Quarries Co. Ltd., Port Dinorwic, Caernarvonshire, North Wales. Similar in style to the 'Quarry' Hunslets but fitted with a cab for shunting use at the quay side. Originally named 'No 1'. Renamed 'Lady Joan' in 1930, and then back to 'No 1' in 1950's. By 1961, she was back in Gilfach Ddu workshops at Llanberis being modified for use within quarry, this included removal of cab, fitting wooden dumb buffers removal of handrail round chimney and restoration of standard chimney (12" shorter).

History

In 1870 the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd. of Leeds constructed their first narrow gauge engine ‘Dinorwic’, a diminutive 1 ft 10 3/4in (578mm) gauge 0-4-0 saddle tank for the Dinorwic Slate Quarry at Llanberis. It was the first of twenty similar engines built for this quarry and did much to establish Hunslet as a major builder of quarry engines.

‘Lady Joan’ was one of two locomotives built in 1922 (works No. 1429) to a new design known as the ‘Port Class’, specifically for shunting at Port Dinorwic on the Menai Straits.

Originally designated ‘No 1’ it was named ‘Lady Joan’ in 1930 and then reverted to ‘No l’ in the 1950s. In 1961 the engine was modified at Gilfach Ddu workshops at Llanberis for use within the quarry. The work included removal of the cab, fitting wooden dumb buffers, removal of the handrail around the chimney and restoration of the standard chimney (a 12 inch taller one had been fitted at some time before this). In 1967 it was sold for preservation and worked a number of locations including Wobum Abbey and Whipsnade Zoo. It is now privately owned and kept at the BWLR and it is a frequent performer on open days.

Gallery

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