River Esk is a 2-8-2 locomotive from the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
History[]
River Esk appears outwardly much as built in 1923 by Davey, Paxman Ltd of Colchester. The design by Henry Greenly gave a locomotive capable of working heavy granite trains from Beckfoot Quarry to Murthwaite crushing plant and Ravenglass. The miniature one-third scale outline gave full protection to the driver while looking attractive on passenger trains. Davey Paxman fitted their patent valve gear and Lentz poppet valves which gave problems. These were eventually solved by replacement with conventional Walschaerts valve gear and piston valves in 1928. This was done at the Yorkshire Engine Co. of Sheffield, who also fitted a separate 0-8-0 chassis under the tender, using their patent Poultney system to provide extra power for the stone trains. However, with the arrival of the Muir Hill petrol/paraffin locos, it was not needed and was removed in 1931. The old tender remained in use, raised high off the old bogies until 1970 when the current tender was fitted. The loco was out of service from 1940-52 due to the need to fit a new firebox, but the original boiler shell continued in use until 1982. The loco is currently in black livery lined to the London and North Western Railway pattern.
Since July 2012, River Esk had been under a major overhaul inside the workshops at Ravenglass. Due to a shed fire, the work had slowed immensely. In 2015 Nigel Day began the task of restoring and upgrading River Esk. As of June 2018, River Esk returned to service.
Technical Details[]
History[]
River Esk was built in 1923 as a 2-8-2 by Davey Paxman of Colchester and designed by Henry Greenly. She was first employed on stone trains, however soon found more use on passenger traffic.
During a rebuild in 1928 by the Yorkshire Engine Co., the engine received a Poultney steam tender, making the loco a 2-8-2+0-8-0. This proved unsuccessful and was soon removed, with the frames being utilised nearly forty years later as part of the second River Mite, after languishing at Murthwaite.
River Esk was out of service between 1940 and 1952 due to needing a new firebox. River Esk survived into the preservation era and a new livery of LNWR black in 1967 along with a new tender in 1970.
In the 1980s, Esk was fitted with a gas-producer firebox and received an award from British Coal, however this was later removed and never refitted. The locomotive has visited the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway several times and was a predecessor to that railway's Greenly Pacific locomotives.
Upgrades[]
During Eskies restoration from 2015-2018 Nigel Day installed many upgrades to improve efficiency, power, reliability, and longevity.[1] These improvements include:
- A Lempor Exhaust with Nigel's cordina
- Improved valve liners and rings
- Steam sanders with Lempor nozzles
- Upgraded insulation
The result was a 50% reduction in coal consumption and an immense increase in power.
Liveries[]
Since 1967, River Esk has been painted in the Blackberry Black livery of the LNWR with red, off-white and black lining. Before then she was painted mid-green with yellow and black lining.
Trivia[]
- Rex from Thomas & Friends is based on the same locomotive
- Some prefer to call River Esk "Eskie" for short
References[]
Gallery[]
.png "Steam Tender (River Esk).png (152 KB)")
.jpg "Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway No 7 River Esk (8062181089).jpg (469 KB)")