Andrew Barclay 2157 Return to Steam

Team fundraiser

Michael Abbott and Samuel White are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Once a powerful symbol of industrial might, Andrew Barclay No.2157 now stands as a testament to resilience and the spirit of preservation. Built in the depths of World War II, It was built at Caledonia Works, Kilmarnock and appeared on 20/04/1943. The locomotive was commissioned by the Ministry of Supply to serve at a Royal Ordnance Factory.

After the end of hostilities in 1945 the need for armaments and munitions reduced, which led to a number of disposals of plant and equipment. This included locomotives and other railway equipment. The locomotive is then recorded as arriving at Comrie Colliery by November 1946 having been purchased from ROF Swynnerton, Staffordshire. It did not stay at Comrie for very long and was recorded at Blairenbathie Colliery near Kelty prior to the nationalisation of the coal industry on 01/01/1947. Blairenbathie Colliery ceased coal winding in August 1962 and was abandoned underground by the end of 1962. No.47 (AB 2157) was sent to Cowdenbeath Central Workshops during 1963.

AB 2157 was then recorded at Lindsay Colliery, Keltyby in May 1963 and remained until coal winding ceased.

AB 2157 is then recorded as having arrived at Cowdenbeath Central Workshops by November 1967 where it was decided to overhaul the locomotive for further use.

AB 2157 was sent to Kinneil from Cowdenbeath after its overhaul and was recorded at Kinneil by December 1972.

It remained at Kinneil until it was sent back to Cowdenbeath Central Workshops during May/June 1976 for a decision on whether a further overhaul would be sanctioned. Subsequently it was decided to recover any usable parts for spares to support other operational Andrew Barclay locomotives and dispose of the locomotive for scrap.

AB 2157 remained at Cowdenbeath until it was sold to Thomas Muir for scrap. This disposal took place between May and August 1977

Later, in 1996 the locomotive was sold for preservation. Cadman (Staffordshire locomotives) acquired the locomotive to only pass it into the caring hands of J&H Parry & Sons Ltd in Astley, Shrewsbury.

In August 1999, two supporters of the Mangapps Farm Railway came forward to purchase the locomotive and restored it to working order. They transported 2157 to Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex, where the locomotive was subsequently restored and has operated on the Mangapps Farm Railway. It had its last ten year overhaul in 2012.

The name Fambridge was added to the locomotive in 2014 and as of the summer of 2020 the locomotive was under overhaul.

The Bristol & Somerset Locomotive Company Limited brought the locomotive from John Jolly at the Mangapps Farm Railway during the summer of 2022 and we now need to conduct a comprehensive overhaul that includes substantial boiler work. The locomotive was temporarily stored at a private site in Wiltshire, before moving to the Swindon & Cricklade railway in early 2023. As of April 2024, the locomotive is currently being transferred to the Vale of Berkeley Railway to complete the overhaul.

We now need your help to complete this grand endeavour. By donating towards the overhaul of 2157, you become a part of its rich history and contribute to the preservation of an iconic piece of our industrial heritage. Every contribution brings us closer to seeing this loco return to its former glory.

Join us in this cause and be a part of the extraordinary journey to restore Andrew Barclay 2157 locomotive, so we can ensure its legacy lives on for generations to come.