Replica of historic Southwold loco being built

John Bennett in the frame of the new Blyth locomotive at Southwold.

AMY GRAY

10 March 2010

A replica of an 1879 locomotive that served passengers in Suffolk for half a century is being built in Southwold and each component can be sponsored - from the whistle to a 2ft 6in driving wheel.

The Southwold Railway Trust has started to construct Blyth No.3, which ran on the Southwold Railway until 1929.

Reminders of the track, which connected the coastal town to Halesworth via Wenhaston, Blythburgh and Walberswick, can still be seen in the town.

The original Blyth did not survive, but the trust is piecing together the historic locomotive based on old drawings.

To help raise £120,000 towards the rebuild, “shares” in the locomotive are on offer for £240 each. One share could get you the cab steps, while 20 shares secures the steam dome.

The replica 2-4-0 Blyth will eventually run on a 3ft-gauge track at the proposed Southwold Railway Steam Park at the end of Blyth Road, which has already been given planning permission.

Trust chairman John Bennett said: “It was a very unique line; a three-foot gauge is very unusual. The only others in this country are on the Isle of Man.

“It's very rare and unusual, so it's worth doing for that reason alone but it's also a delightful railway, an idiosyncratic part of culture up until 1929. We've got a list of components and we've raised about £23,000 so far. There are 170 of them, including boiler tubes, cylinders and wheels.”

The first manufactured parts, by Aldeburgh metalworkers Sam and Dennis Pegg, are housed in a shed at Duncan and Son builders in the town.

The “engine shed” was also the venue for the launch of the Two-Four-O Club fundraising efforts last night, where guests enjoyed stew, crumble and music.

“We're just very grateful to the builders for letting us do it here,” added Mr Bennett.

It is expected to take three years to get the locomotive ready, with carriages added later. Component sponsors will receive a certificate of donation, have their name on a plaque and receive various gifts including an hour's footplate tuition.

To find out more or sponsor a part, go to www.southwoldrailway. co.uk or call 01502 725422.