Charity
Rebuild The Walrus Choo-Choo g’joob
The diesel powered Walrus was built in 1952
Groudle Glen Railway is aiming to raise £40,000 to restore one of its engines.
The diesel powered Walrus was built in 1952 before coming to the island in 1982.
Used to help rebuild the line when the railway came back to life in 1983, Walrus and her sister engine Dolphin have seen active service operating the early passenger trains until steam returned and since then have been vital in operating maintenance trains during the winter months.
The railways donation page says: ‘The locomotives themselves though are historical in their own right, they are the oldest diesel locomotives on the Island and are popular when they see occasional service for our gala days at the railway as part of the wider Isle of Man Heritage Transport events.
‘Prior to the outbreak of the Covid pandemic it was becoming clear that both locomotives required attention to ensure their longevity. Due to the excessive amount of early restoration work that Walrus was involved with, she was deemed in much worse condition requiring specialist engineering attention whereas Dolphin could be rebuilt ‘in-house’ at the railway. We’ve spent the last few years rebuilding Dolphin which was relaunched in time for the pair to celebrate their 70th birthday in 2022.
‘We are now looking at rebuilding her sister Walrus which sadly requires more specialist engineering works especially in terms of the engine inside her, the gearbox which is leaking oil constantly etcWe’ve been enquiring about quotes from specialist contractors and the most preferential offer is for the locomotive to be stripped and rebuilt physically and mechanically by John Fowler & Sons works in Cumbria (where previous steam locomotive work has been undertaken to a high standard).’
For more info see the railway’s Facebook page or make a donation here.
