Mystery Locomotive - Unnamed
About the engine
In 2021 a review of the Saltwood Miniature Railway operating log books, which are extant and complete for virtually the entire history of the line, revealed a mysterious entry dated 3 June 1939.
The entry states:
"June 3rd - Petrol loco running - takings 8/2 (inlcuding photos)".
The reference to photos was a standard entry. Photographs of the railway were sold to visitors as souvenirs, rather as picture postcards might be in other places. However, the reference to a "Petrol loco" is very much more mysterious. A number of staff members from the post-war period are still able to provide personal memories, and recollections of hundreds of hours of discussion with the railway's owner, but nobody has any recollection of a petrol locomotive, or of reference to a petrol locomotive. Sadly, there is nobody still living from the railway's pre-war era to give any first-hand account.
The railway's log bogs were meticulously maintained, and we may be certain from this entry that a petrol locomotive was resident at the railway, and in use. However, we are unable to provide any further details of this mystery engine - its origins, its fate, or even whether it was permanently at Saltwood, or merely a visitor. Needless to say, we will be delighted to hear of any further evidence that comes to light.
The entry states:
"June 3rd - Petrol loco running - takings 8/2 (inlcuding photos)".
The reference to photos was a standard entry. Photographs of the railway were sold to visitors as souvenirs, rather as picture postcards might be in other places. However, the reference to a "Petrol loco" is very much more mysterious. A number of staff members from the post-war period are still able to provide personal memories, and recollections of hundreds of hours of discussion with the railway's owner, but nobody has any recollection of a petrol locomotive, or of reference to a petrol locomotive. Sadly, there is nobody still living from the railway's pre-war era to give any first-hand account.
The railway's log bogs were meticulously maintained, and we may be certain from this entry that a petrol locomotive was resident at the railway, and in use. However, we are unable to provide any further details of this mystery engine - its origins, its fate, or even whether it was permanently at Saltwood, or merely a visitor. Needless to say, we will be delighted to hear of any further evidence that comes to light.