A steam locomotive that spent its working life in Burntisland is to be brought back to Fife and restored to its former glory.
The British Aluminium Company No 3, built by Andrew Barclay and Sons of Kilmarnock in 1937 and one of just six of its kind in the UK, has been secured by Fife Heritage Railway on a 10-year loan.
It follows months of negotiations with Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, where it has been stored outside since 1989.
The engine, which served Burntisland’s bauxite reduction works until it was replaced by diesel locomotives in the 1970s, will be transported to the kingdom early this year to be restored and displayed at Kirkland Yard in Leven.
Fife Heritage Railway has so far raised more than £1,200 to cover the cost of moving the locomotive and begin the restoration work.
Director Anthony Wiaczek said: “Over the last few months we have been negotiating with our friends at Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway regarding the loan of a special little locomotive.
“We’re happy to say both parties’ trustees have agreed to terms for the 10-year loan of Andrew Barclay 2046 from 1937.
“No 3 will come to us early in the year for the purpose of cosmetic restoration and display at our site in Kirkland Yard.”
Donations towards the restoration can be made online at www.wonderful.org
Fife Heritage Railway, also known as Kingdom of Fife Railway Preservation Society, was formed in 1992 and has been based at the former marshalling yard at Kirkland sidings since 2003, where it operates public steam train rides along a half-mile demonstration track.
The Andrew Barclay announcement brings more joy for Fife railway enthusiasts, coming hard on the heels of news that the Shed47 Railway Restoration Group, based at Lathalmond, has been gifted two locomotives from Babcock International at Rosyth dockyard.
One of them is believed to have been the oldest of its kind still in use before it was retired nine years ago.
Both engines have been taken by lorry to the restoration group’s base at Lathalmond, where they will be restored in time for the opening of the railway museum in the grounds of the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Easter.
