W.I.L.P.G. - Section 2
HE686 'The Lady Armaghdale' after restoration at Bridgnorth in April 1981
In 1969 It was discovered that a veteren Hunslet locomotive was about to be disposed of by I.C.I. Dyestuffs Division from their Works at Blackley, to the north of Manchester. This was HE686/1898 which had originally worked on the Manchester Ship Canal Railway until steam was replaced by diesel in 1963. A successful bid (of £250) was made to secure the locomotive and after a hectic dash down the M6 Motorway it arrived at Bridgnorth in July 1969. Following a quick repaint and a few minor repairs the locomotive was steamed ao act as Station Pilot and to give footplate rides at Bridgnorth. It was also used on works trains and became a favourit with many film and TV crews appearing in a number of Films and Adverts. In 1972 it was withdrawn from traffic for a lengthy overhaul and finally returned to use in 1981 complete with vacuum brake controls, new shaped cab windows (round) and a sliding cab roof ventilator (as well as improved livery). Initially moved to Bewdley to act as Station Pilot, it also went on loan to the Birmingham Railway Museum (1983 & 1986) and to the Crewe Heritage Centre (1988) but at the begining of 1989 was again withdrawn with wasted smoke tubes. However, in 1992 the S.V.R. decided to start having 'Thomas the Tank Engine' Events and HE686 was given a complete overhaul, painted bright blue and started a new life as 'Thomas'. The locomotive is registered as an official 'Thomas' with Brit Alcroft and is hired by many Railways each year as well as appearing twice a year on the S.V.R. In October 1998 the locomotive celebrated its Centenary and was repainted into Black M.S.C. Rly. Livery appearing at Bury (E.L.R.), Leeds (M.R.T.) and finally Kidderminster (S.V.R.) before reverting back to 'Thomas' Livery in December. In January 2000 the boiler sent to Pridhams in Devon for major surgery being returned in August 2001. The locomotive was reassembled and re-entered service as 'Thomas' in February 2002.
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