restoration projects

Built by Andrew Barclay, Sons and Co in 1956 with Works Number 399/1956. BP Grangemouth No.7 was built in Kilmarnock for the Phumpherston Oil Company and eventually passing into the ownership of BP at Grangemouth.

The locomotive was saved by ARPG in 1981 when it fell into retirement and remains preserved at Doon Valley Railway. No.7 is currently in a stripped down state and partially painted with all the removable components already in their final colours awaiting refitting.  Some minor mechanical work is still needed, including a new radiator and lubrication pipework refitted.

A regular sight on lines throughout the UK for many years was the 20 tonne brake van, which came in various designs.   

The van is currently undergoing a major restoration with a most of the outer wooden cladding being replaced as well as replacement of some of the interior.  We are restoring this van using as much of the original parts as possible.  Repainting work is currently underway and we hope to have it back in service sometime during 2024.

Built by Andrew Barclay, Sons & Co with Works Number 2260/1949. Built in Kilmarnock in 1949 for the National Coal Board for work in the Fife Area. No.23 was first deployed at Tillicoultry Colliery later that year but was noted and recorded as being also deployed at Devon Colliery in 1950.

No.23 is one of the Fife class 16in locomotives which had a 7ft wheelbase and a large boiler capacity. The injectors fitted to this class were combination backhead, as opposed to the standard Andrew Barclay Caledonia hot water flood injectors normally provided.

The Fife class were specified by the NCB Scottish Division Fife Area mechanical engineer in 1948 and the specification was derived from an AB locomotive (Andrew Barclay 2096) that was supplied to the Fife Coal Company in 1940 for use at their new Comrie Colliery in West Fife.

Around 1959, No.23 was transferred to Manor Powis Colliery before going to Alloa Central Workshops for an overhaul in 1963. After the overhaul it appears to have been deployed at Blairhall Colliery.

In August 1971, No.23 was sent to Cowdenbeath Central Workshops for assessment for further use and overhaul. Following its overhaul it was sent to Cardowan Colliery at Stepps to the east of the Glasgow city boundary. The locomotive finished its working life there and only used once or twice a year when the diesel pug, which was employed there from 1966 onwards, was undergoing maintenance.

Cardowan Colliery was the last deep mine in Lanarkshire and some of the underground workings were still extracting coal from underneath parts of the city of Glasgow when coal winding ceased in 1983.

In 2018, No.23 was saved by ARPG, cosmetically restored and placed on display at Doon Valley Railway.