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Introduction
Porthmadog
Originally 24 1/8" gauge, these locomotives worked on lightly laid tracks on sand quarries around the St Helens area, often moving from quarry to quarry. A fleet of a dozen or more such locomotives, owned by Pilkingtons Glass, operated in this way over quite a wide area. The new cost of No.9 was £1710, typical of the time.
When they became redundant, the fleet was bought by Ainscligh Scrapyard, from whence three were purchased for the WHR. All three are essentially the same, but have many differences of detail. No.9 (Katherine) had at some time been damaged with significant denting of its roof, a condition that has been partially rectified and partially preserved. No.6 (Jonathan) was the first to be reguaged to 600mm, this happening on its arrival in 1981. No.4 (Anne-Marie) was retyred at the new gauge. No.9 is still 24 1/8" gauge and consequently sees much less use.
No.9 (Katherine) is currently having a cab rebuild and a fettling-up of the wheelsets.
