John Heald's Darjeeling B-class

This is a pic of the only B-class outside of India. It worked on the Darjeeling until sold to someone in America (may have been in private hands). It then went into a museum before being purchased by a Brit and returned to UK. Restored at the Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham and transferred to the owner's private track, it has ran on the Ffestiniog Railway and been on show at the National Railway Museum in York.

This is probably the best restored B class of the 34 built.

Although the Darjeeling line now has 10 engines (not all working), there are at least 7 others around that I know of. There were 4 working in some coal mines near the Burma border and others as static exhibits around India. If anyone can add to the list it will be interesting to hear.

As shown in last months news, this was the start of the cylinder block pattern...

...which is now finished and ready for casting.

John Oxlade is currently converting my frame drawings to CAD to be laser-cut.

Words and photos by John Heald

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Website developed and maintained by John Oxlade of john2consulting who is a member of the Cambridge-Rotorua Live Steamers Inc.