WPR No.20 December 2024 update

This is my latest video update for December 2024 from my local heritage railway, the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway on the progress of the ex Wemyss Private Railway Andrew Barclay built 0-6-0T ,
Some WPR No.20 history :- This is one of Andrew Barclay’s largest locomotives, designed to haul loads of 750 tons or more at low speeds. It was built in 1939 for the Wemyss Coal Company in Fife. When the coal industry was nationalised in 1948, Captain Wemyss, the owner of the Wemyss Coal Company, successfully argued that the railway linking the Wemyss mines was not included, and this became the Wemyss Private Railway. It carried coal to the washer at Wellesley and the docks at Methil. No.20 was one of its last working locomotives, and continued in service until the railway closed in June 1970. This is an example of a large locomotive used on a private railway with a reasonably long haul, rather than simply for shunting.
It was purchased by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society in 1970 and is based on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.
No.20 was out of use, awaiting a heavy general overhaul for some time but in January 2020 the Engine was in a poor mechanical condition although it was hoped that the boiler should only need a re-tube. There are several cracks in the frames which will need to be repaired and the trailing axle was below scrapping size. A spare set of axles complete with new tyres was in stock for the engine. These wheel sets have had the journals skimmed and tyres profiled.
The dismantling of No.20 was well under way with the boiler stripped and lifted out of the frames. The motion and brake gear has now been removed and the loco had been prepared for lifting the frames off the wheel sets. its boiler has since been removed from the frames and now in November 2024 the locomotive is now undergoing its full restoration process.
When the coal industry was nationalised in 1948, Captain Wemyss, the owner of the Wemyss Coal Company, successfully argued that the railway linking the Wemyss mines was not included, and this became the Wemyss Private Railway. It carried coal to the washer at Wellesley and the docks at Methil. No.20 was one of its last working locomotives, and continued in service until the railway closed in June 1970. This is an example of a large locomotive used on a private railway with a reasonably long haul, rather than simply for shunting.
It was purchased by the Scottish Railway Preservation Society in 1970 and is based on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.
No.20 was out of use, awaiting a heavy general overhaul for some time but in January 2020 the Engine was in a poor mechanical condition although it was hoped that the boiler should only need a re-tube. There are several cracks in the frames which will need to be repaired and the trailing axle was below scrapping size. A spare set of axles complete with new tyres was in stock for the engine. These wheel sets have had the journals skimmed and tyres profiled.
The dismantling of No.20 was well under way with the boiler stripped and lifted out of the frames. The motion and brake gear has now been removed and the loco had been prepared for lifting the frames off the wheel sets. its boiler has since been removed from the frames and now in November 2024 the locomotive is now undergoing its full restoration process. If you have supported the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway over the years thank you so much.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could support all of our wonderful Railway Preservation Society organizations worldwide.