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1247 ‘The Old Lady’ Preservation Pioneer
This was the first main line engine to be bought by an individual for preservation.
Purchased in May 1959 by Captain W G (Bill) Smith VRD, RNVR, this engine has seen service at many heritage railways throughout Britain. In May 1991 it attended the Railfair at Sacramento, California.
Designed by H A Ivatt for shunting and general freight work, the engine was built by Sharp Stewart & Company in Glasgow in 1899 for the Great Northern Railway.
1247 is currently painted in British Railways livery and numbered accordingly.
Fact File
- Object: 0-6-0 saddle tank locomotive
- Built by: Sharp Stuart of Glasgow, 1899
- For: Great Northern Railway
- Designer: H A Ivatt, chief mechanical engineer of the GNR
- Function: Shunting and local freight duties
- Weight: 51 tons (52 tonnes)
- Coal Capacity: 3 tons (3 tonnes)
- Water Capacity: 1,100 gallons (5001 litres)
- Boiler Pressure: 170 psi (12.0 kg/cm2)
Locomotive inventory number 1980-7001
Photograph reference number NRM_CT_932743