Lew (locomotive)

Lew was a Manning Wardle 2-6-2T built in 1925 for the narrow gauge Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.

Southern Railway E188 Lew
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Manning Wardle, Leeds Serial number 2042 Build date 1925
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-6-2T Gauge 1 ft 11 ^1⁄2 in (597 mm) Leading dia. 2 ft 0 in (0.610 m) Driver dia. 2 ft 9 in (0.838 m) Trailing dia. 2 ft 0 in (0.610 m) Wheelbase Coupled: 6 ft 6 in (1.981 m) Total: 17 ft 9 in (5.410 m) Length 22 ft 4 in (6.81 m) over buffer beams Width 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Height 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) Loco weight 27.25 long tons (27.69 t; 30.52 short tons) Fuel type Coal Firebox:  • Firegrate area 8.85 sq ft (0.822 m^2) Heating surface 383 sq ft (35.58 m^2) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 10.5 in × 16 in (267 mm × 406 mm) Valve gear Joy
Career Operators Southern Railway Numbers E188 Locale Devon, South West England Withdrawn November 1935 Disposition Sold overseas, final destination and fate unknown

History

Lew, following L&B tradition, was named after one of the local rivers with a three-letter name, the River Lew.

Lew was similar in design to the previous Manning Wardle locomotives built for the L&B, the main difference being a redesigned cab to eliminate a smoke trap, and give more room to the crew. She was sold at auction along with other L&B equipment in November 1935, two months after the railway closed.[1] However, she was purchased in December by a dismantler and was used to remove the line until July 1936.

On 28 September 1936,[2] Lew sailed from Swansea, on the SS Sabor – believed to have been destined for a plantation in Brazil. Sabor arrived in Pernambuco on 15 October 1936.[3] Sabor left Pernambuco on 17 October, called at Bahia on 20 October,[4] and arrived in Rio de Janeiro on 23 October.[5]

Despite the efforts of many enthusiasts, no proof of the locomotive's current whereabouts, or eventual fate has been published.

Lyd

Lyd at Porthmadog Harbour Station

A replica of Lew, named Lyd in accordance with the L&B tradition of naming its locos after local three-letter rivers, was completed at Boston Lodge on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway in August 2010.[6]

References

1. Bradley, D.L. (October 1975). Locomotives of the Southern Railway: Part 1. London: RCTS. p. 85. ISBN 0-901115-30-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
2. "Toy Railway Engine". Western Morning News. England. 29 September 1936. Retrieved 15 August 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
3. "Mail and Steamship". Aberdeen Press and Journal. Scotland. 17 October 1936. Retrieved 15 August 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. "Mail and Steamship". Aberdeen Press and Journal. Scotland. 22 October 1936. Retrieved 15 August 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "The Mails". The Scotsman. Scotland. 27 October 1936. Retrieved 15 August 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "New replica steam locomotive unveiled in Ffestiniog". BBC News. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2010.

External links

• Lyd project at the Ffestiniog Railway
• Mystery of Lew