Tinkerbell celebrates its 50th at Moors Valley

News, Steam

THE Moors Valley Railway’s (MVR) Tinkerbell 50 event on September 22-23 featured 19 examples, including the original Tinkerbell.

All five of the original 1978 production batch – of what was then termed the Type F 0-4-2T – were also at the event, namely Adam, Gurkha, Sir Robert, Susan Jane and MVR resident Talos.

Jim Haylock, founder and operator of the Moors Valley Railway (MVR), Dorset, has owned Tinkerbell since 1978. Over the years it has received extensive overhauls, but retained its original appearance. It has been re-tubed, received new wheel sets, a cylinder re-bore and some replacement valve gear parts, plus a full repaint in original golden ochre livery for its 50th anniversary. Roger Marsh, designer and builder, is seen in the cab on September 23, posed with Jim (standing). Picture: PETER NICHOLSON

It was in 1968 when Roger Marsh unveiled the new loco, which was ground-breaking at the time for 7¼in gauge, being narrow gauge-style, with the driver seated in the cab, rather than riding on a truck behind.

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Named Tinkerbell, after his dog, it was 10 years before any further examples were built by Roger Marsh & Co Ltd, Britannia Works, Burbage, when a batch of five was produced.

Read more in the November issue of The RM – on sale now!

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Sam Hewitt
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