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'Kitson 5474 "Canarvon"'
Canarvon

Worcester Locomotive Society's Kitson (S&L Fleet No 47) 5474 "Carnarvon"

Built in 1934 by Kitsons of Leeds to a Manning Wardle design as part of a large order for Stewarts and Lloyds Steel Company, Corby, Northants. Actual numbers of locos built is difficult to ascertain as records are sparse and construction spanned over 50 years. This loco spent all its 35 years of active service on the Corby system, hauling iron ore from the extensive quarries in the area to the blast furnaces, steam locos were phased out in the late sixties on the mineral system.
The Worcester Locomotive Society  purchased the loco in working order in the summer of 1969.
Names of Welsh towns were carried by a number of the locos, there being a strong connection with the principality and members of the company board. The name plates were obviously made in England and incorrectly spelt, prompting many comments sometimes rude, from certain quarters.
From Corby the loco was transported by road to Bridgnorth, head quarters of the then embryonic SVR. It spent the winter of 1969/70 on engineering trains. It was also used by Father Christmas as his means of transport at Christmas 1969.
The loco was moved to the Bulmer Railway Centre in the summer of 1970, where it remained until moved to SDR in 1993.
In the early days it was used to give footplate and brake van rides but latterly, as it was not vacuum fitted it was not permitted to do this, however it was used on Members Only days and for the odd goods train.
During the oil fuel crisis of 1973 it was used to shunt the rail borne cider apples every day for two months during the autumn. This resulted in an appearance on National TV under the heading "Steam to the Rescue".
Twenty years on see it at the SDR where it is awaiting a heavy general overhaul which will include fitting of vacuum brakes so it can work trains on the line.


BUILT KITSONS LEEDS 1934 ( MANIVING WARDLE DESIGN). 0-6-0 SADDLE TANK.
CYLINDERS 2 off 16" Diameter by 22" Stroke
VALVE GEAR STEPHENSON, operating vertical slide vlaves
BOILER PRESSURE 160lbs/sq in. non superheated
HEATING SURFACE 759 sq feet (Approximately)
GRATE AREA 14 sq feet (Approximately)
WHEEL DIAMETER 3'6"
Overall LENGTH 29'
WEIGHT 31 Tons
TANK WATER CAPACITY 800 Gallons
COAL CAPACITY 1 TON 5 CWT (Approximately)
TRACTIVE EFFORT
AT 85 % BOILER PRESSURE
18,200 lbs (Approximately)
 
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