The Ruislip Lido Railway Society is delighted to announce the purchase of No. 10 'Dougal', a coal-fired 0-6-2T+T steam locomotive built by Severn-Lamb Ltd in 1970. Most recently based at The Valley Railway Adventure in Evesham, Dougal is now undergoing specialist regauging from 15-inch to 12-inch gauge and repainting into early Penrhyn-style lined black livery for operation at Ruislip.
Originally built by Severn-Lamb Ltd of Stratford-upon-Avon for MiniRail Ltd at Longleat House, Dougal moved to Evesham in 2004 and received a major rebuild in 2009—including a larger boiler and tender that make it an ideal match for the Ruislip Lido Railway's gradients and passenger loads.
"We're thrilled to have secured Dougal and to welcome it to the Ruislip Lido Railway as part of the home fleet. Having a second steam locomotive at Ruislip running alongside our current steam locomotive Mad Bess is something the Society has aspired to achieve for many years." — Matthew Streeton, Chairman of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society
Chris Ladyman, Secretary of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society, added: "I became aware that Dougal might be available and, after visiting and inspecting it with our Chief Mechanical Engineer, we knew it would be a great fit for Ruislip. Its 15-inch origins make it well-suited for conversion to a powerful 12-inch gauge locomotive, and once completed, it will be an excellent addition to the fleet."
The addition of Dougal brings the permanent locomotive fleet to seven and secures the future of steam traction at Britain's longest 12-inch gauge railway.
