2.     'Atlas'     Hunslet     20 HP     2463     1943

New to Ministry of Defence; Strensall Brick and Tile works; Alne Tile works, Hemingbrough near Selby.

Atlas is a locomotive built right here in Leeds by the Humslet engine company. It has recently been repaired (see below for pictures) after suffering engine problems which deemed it unfit for use. It will mostly be used in the summer months due to its lack of crew protection from the weather. Despite this, it is a good, powerful locomotive and is a favourite with drivers. it is fitted with air brakes and an air horn for use on passenger duties and has recently been fitted with nameplates bearing its name, which fits in with the theme of figures from ancient mythology.

Hunslet repair 2007

The Hunslet used to be a regular performer on passenger services, and it is a favourite with the drivers, but in the 90s it developed serious engine problems requiring specialist attention to put right, so it was pulled from service and stored at the back of the shed for many years gathering dust, occasionally being dragged out for show and once started and run carefully for demonstaration. In 2007, we finally got round to doing the nessesary repairs to make it work again.

Fist of all, take your Hunslet. these views were taken in 2006 on a rare occasion when the loco was dragged outside.

Secondly, remove the cab, radiator, bonnet top, fuel tank, exhaust pipe, compressor, sand box and sand pipes to gain access to the engine.

Next, take all the unessesary parts off the engine, such as the flywheel.

Send the engine off to the specialist for repair. once it is returned and put back in the frames, it should look a little like this. heres one we did earlier!

Once everything has been put back in place, the finished loco should look like this, gleaming and ready to go on the passenger train again.

This rebuild took just over 4 months, and is the fastest rebuild of a loco we have ever done.