British Diesels and Electrics: W. G. Bagnall

Showing posts with label W. G. Bagnall. Show all posts

Llechwedd Quarry Electric Converted Locomotives

The Llechwedd slate quarry in North West Wales was an early adopter of hydro-electric power with the first generator at the quarry in 1891. In the late 1920s the quarry decided to convert two WG Bagnall built narrow gauge steam locomotives (1890/1278 and 1895/1445) to overhead electric to join a number of battery electric locomotives already in service. A third steam locomotive was also dismantled ready for conversion but this does not seem to have been carried out.

1278 at the Statfold Barn Railway

Information
Number built:	2
Built:	1927, 1930
Builder:	Llechwedd quarry (conversion to electric locomotive) W.G. Bagnall (original steam locomotive)
Motor:	Electric motor (DC OHLE)
Formation:	0-4-0WE

The locomotives were supplied from an overhead wire collected via twin trolley poles on the cab roof. They worked at the quarry until the 1960s and survived into preservation though are in need of a lot of restoration after being outdoors. They have recently transferred to the Statfold Barn Railway.

Side view of 1278

Another view showing the buffer, and a spare!

Side view

W.G. Bagnall 4wDH Shunters

Most of the diesel shunters made by W.G. Bagnall had mechanical transmission (such as 3147-3150 for example), however the last few shunters built by the company before their takeover by English Electric had hydraulic transmission. The last two locomotives were built for Leys Malleable Casting and were fitted with a British Twin Disc single stage torque converter which was linked to the wheels via a Wiseman reversing and reduction gearbox [1].

3207 receives maintenance at the Foxfield Railway

Information for 3207-8
Number built:	2
Built:	1961
Builder:	W.G. Bagnall
Motor:	Gardner 6LW diesel
Power:	90 hp (67 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	4wDH

W.G. Bagnall 3207 was the penultimate locomotive built before the takeover, it was delivered to Leys Malleable Casting though did not see much use. It was withdrawn in 1984 and preserved at the Foxfield Railway where it has been named Bagnall [2]. The last locomotive 3208 has also been preserved and is now at the Chasewater Railway.

[1] Ray King, British Industrial Diesel Locomotives (Traction and Rolling Stock Advertiser, 2006) p. 9
[2] Industrial Locomotives (18th Edition) (Industrial Railway Society, 2019) p. 200

W.G. Bagnall 3147-3150

No. 3150 is one of three diesel-mechanical shunters built by W. G. Bagnall in 1959 for operation at the NCB Wolstanton colliery in Stoke-on-Trent.

Information
Number built:	3
Built:	1959
Builder:	W. G. Bagnall
Motor:	Gardner 8L3 diesel
Power:	204 hp (152 kW)
Wheel arrangement:	0-6-0DM

While the three shunters were built to the standard W. G. Bagnall design mechanically they were very similar to the British Rail Class 03.

Wolstanton No. 3, as 3150 was known, worked at the colliery until production winded down in 1985. It was sold for scrap but rescued for preservation and has been on the Foxfield Railway ever since. The other two locomotives were scrapped.