1697 John Alcock Hunslet 0-6-0DM built
1932
John Alcock, as it is now called, came to Middleton Railway in
1960 and was the first locomotive to be obtained by the then Middleton
Railway Preservation Society.
It was built in 1932, just a stone's throw away from the Railway, as Hunslet
Engine Company's No. 1697. In 1933 it was sold to the London, Midland &
Scottish Railway where it carried the numbers 7401 and 7051. In 1943, the
locomotive was transferred to the War Department where it became No. 27
(and later 70027).
After the war, it was sold back to Hunslet's who replaced the original
M.A.N. engine with a McLaren Ricardo 132hp one. It was then used as the
works shunter and hire loco until it was sold to Middleton Railway in 1960.
The locomotive was named John Alcock by the Middleton Railway in
honour of the original designer, who had since become Managing Director
of the Hunslet Engine Company.
The locomotive's engine unfortunately suffered a catastrophic failure while
working a train at the Midland Railway Centre in July 1994. However, a
replacement engine was eventually acquired and, after a period of restoration,
the locomotive returned to traffic on 15 June 1996.
Click here to find out when the locomotive is rostered for use