On 1st December another locomotive arrived at Quainton Road, our first Hunslet Pop 16" 0-6-0ST, and it was off-loaded into the down yard.

Arthur has been purchased by our member, Brian Clifford, and it came from a life with the National Coal Board at Markham Main Colliery, Armthorpe, in the Doncaster area, albeit with two intermediate stops enroute. It was withdrawn from service and left Markham Main about 1978 to its first temporary home in Staffordshire, at Mark Bamford's premises at Crab Key, Ellastone, near Ashbourne, where it was one of a collection of industrial four and six wheeled tank engines acquired by Mr. Bamford. In the summer of last year Arthur moved to Mr J M Walker's Lindsey Farm at High Cogges, near Witney, Oxon, and it was from Witney that the last movement was made.

The 16" diameter inside cylinder 0-6-0ST was built in 1953 by Hunslet Engine Company Limited, Leeds, Maker's No. 3782, and is believed to have worked at Markham for its whole life. It was rebuilt in 1972 using some parts from a similar un-named Hunslet Pop 16" locomotive at Markham, built in 1943, Maker's No. 2688. Brian thinks the top section of the cab and the saddle tank of Arthur came from 2688 and it also had a new coal bunker. He has already made excellent progress on stripping down for inspection and has removed fourteen tubes to be able to check the boiler. The tyres are good, the safety valves have been overhauled, the chimney repaired by welding and a new whistle, pressure, gauge, water glass and safety covers obtained. The ash pan will need some repairs, but the smokebox looks good. New nameplates are being made in brass, to replace those which went missing at the NCB Vacuum brakes will be fitted during the overhaul and Brian proposes to paint it in BR lined black livery. Arthur will carry the number 14 as on his old Manning, Wardle, Brill. We all look forward to this useful addition to the Quainton stocklist in action before too long.

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1980 and so does not reflect events in the 34+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Welcome to Arthur - Quainton News No. 40 - Spring 1980