'The Hunslet Gala’! Embsay And Bolton Abbey Steam Railway - 28/06/2025

Описание: e shunting engines, the firm constructed over two thousand industrial steam locomotives for use around the world. Today, they remembered as one of the most notable locomotive builders of the industrial age, with iconic designs such as the ‘Quarry Hunslet’ and ‘Austerity’ becoming staples of steam railway history. However, Hunslet also made another saddle tank that, whilst perhaps not as numerous, should not be overlooked.

With an extended smokebox, a coal capacity of three tonnes and sixteen-inch cylinders, an 0-6-0 saddle tank was produced in 1923 for the South Kirby Featherstone and Hemsworth Colliery. This proved so successful that variants with twelve, fourteen and fifteen-inch cylinders were quickly ordered for use in the UK and on the continent, colloquially known as ‘Fitzwilliams’. Even an eighteen-inch edition was produced, becoming the forerunner to a later design. With a flat front and a higher tractive effort, the ‘Austerities’ became the darling of the War Department, being built and exported across Europe. With a hundred and twenty-three ‘Fitzwilliams’ already bustling about, a further three-hundred and seventy-seven ‘Austerities’ solidified Hunslet as the premier locomotive manufacturer.

The engines workload eventually wound down during the 1960s, but as the heritage movement took off, the remaining ‘Hunslets’ were quickly snatched up by enthusiasts, becoming the primary motive power of many lines throughout the early days of preservation. The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway in the Yorkshire Dales was one such example, relying on ex-industrial engines to run its fledgling services. At one point, as many as eight Hunslet engines called the railway home, with at least one Leeds-built locomotive in steam at any one time. Whilst other lines have graduated to using more prototypical engines, Embsay have operated their industrials since their inception. Therefore, it would be the perfect place to hold a celebration of preserved Hunslet saddle tanks!

Held over the final weekend of June, ‘The Hunslet Gala’ would see the largest gathering of their standard-gauge locomotives in preservation. Despite the railway’s own extensive collection, a staggering four visiting engines would supplement the home fleet. These included the perky ‘Brooks No.1’ from the Middleton Railway, ‘King George’ from Didcot Railway Centre (now running as a side tank), the enormous 18’’ ‘Jessie’, making a return visit after two previous stints at the line and ‘Austerity’ 2890, dubbed ‘Douglas’ by enthusiasts. She has been converted into a freelance tender-engine, demonstrating the versatility of the design. Embsay’s own ‘Beatrice’ also saw service, as did ‘Austerity’ ‘Cumbria’, making her final gala appearance before withdrawal. A total of six locomotives would be in steam over the three-day event.

I visited on the Saturday of the gala. Two six-coach passenger rakes and a mixed freight were running. As an added bonus, three of the railway’s out-of-ticket Hunslets were on display at Embsay. ‘Airedale’ and ‘Monckton No.1’ are currently stored awaiting refurbishment, but ‘Wheldale’ is under overhaul and progressing well. Her saddle tank could even be seen on a flat wagon in the goods train! No fewer than nineteen departures from either end of the line ran on Saturday, the last of which didn’t arrive back at Embsay until 22:10! Perhaps fittingly, the weather was decidedly northern, with damp skies and winds blowing above the dales most of the weekend, not that it dampened people’s spirits! The full lineup consisted of:

Visiting:
Hunslet 14’’ 0-6-0ST 2387 ‘Brooks No.1’ (from Dave Monckton and the Middleton Railway)
Hunslet 15’’ 0-6-0T 2409 ‘King George’ (from Didcot Railway Centre)
Hunslet 18’’ 48150 0-6-0ST No.18 ‘Jessie’ (from Mike Pearce and the Pontypool And Blaenavon Railway)
Hunslet ‘Converted Austerity’ 0-6-0 2890 ‘Douglas’ (from Andy Booth and the East Lancashire Railway)

Home Fleet:
Hunslet 16’’ 0-6-0ST No.7 ‘Beatrice’
Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST 3794 ‘Cumbria’ (on long-term loan from the Furness Railway Trust. Making its final gala appearance before overhaul)
Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST 3788 ‘Monckton No.1’ (on static display at Embsay)
Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST S134 ‘Wheldale’ (under overhaul. On static display at Embsay)
Hunslet 16’’ 0-6-0ST 1440 ‘Airedale’ (on static display at Embsay)

I hope you all enjoy the video. Despite the weather making it extremely difficult to film, the gala was a great success. Thanks to all staff, volunteers and locomotive owners for making the event come together. It was pleasure to meet Connor of ‪@RolvendenRails‬ during my visit. Thanks to him for allowing me to use one of his images in the thumbnail. If you haven't already, make sure to check out his channel! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at   / secondvalvesteam   and if you enjoyed the video, feel free to like comment and subscribe!