Historic Locomotive Reunited with Its Name

A Piece of History Returns to Porthmadog

A piece of narrow gauge history has returned home to the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in Porthmadog, a decade after it was thought to be lost.

An original nameplate from the line's flagship steam engine, Russell (Hunslet 901 of 1906), has been presented to the WHHR on loan by the Industrial Railway Society.

The nameplate is made of solid brass, and was one of a pair made by the steelworks in Brymbo near Wrexham when the locomotive was refurbished there in 1942. The nameplate was carried by Russell for the next ten years until the locomotive was withdrawn in 1953.

Soon afterwards, Russell was rescued from the scrapman by enthusiasts from the then Birmingham Locomotive Club. But one of the nameplates disappeared, and was presumed to have been lost forever. An article even appeared in the WHHR company magazine, asking if anyone knew where it was.

It turned out that the nameplate was being carefully looked after by a Russell fan, and when he died, it was presented to the Industrial Railway Society by his family. Now, a deal has been done for the IRS to loan the plate to the WHHR, which owns the other plate, as well as the locomotive itself!

Martyn Owen, Chairman of the WHHR, said: "we're really pleased that both of the original nameplates are now back in Wales, and in the same place as the locomotive."

Russell is currently being restored to working order, and the WHHR hopes it can return to service during 2011. The locomotive is being restored to its as-built 1906 condition. Since the nameplates it carried at that time looked different, the newly reunited pair of 1942 nameplates will go in the WHHR museum in Porthmadog for display.

Bob Darvill of the Industrial Railway Society said: "Russell is a famous narrow gauge locomotive because of the number of lucky escapes its had during its life to become the only locomotive left from the original Welsh Highland Railway. We're delighted to have helped a piece of its history to come home in this way."

Another mystery still surrounds the other two nameplates carried by Russell from 1906 to 1942. One of those is now in the National Railway Museum in York, but the other is also lost.

Martyn Owen added: "I wonder if it is sitting in someone's garage somewhere. We'd love to hear from you if you know where it is!"

A picture of the handover is here. For the latest on Russell's restoration, click here.