Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns

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Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd (RSH) was a locomotive builder with works in North East England.

Contents

History

Builders plate from NZGR E 1805 locomotive Ew EE - RS&H 1805 builders plate.JPG
Builders plate from NZGR E 1805 locomotive

The company was formed in September 1937, [1] when Darlington based Robert Stephenson and Company took over the locomotive building department of Hawthorn Leslie and Company, which was based in Newcastle upon Tyne. [2] The goodwill of Leeds locomotive builders Kitson & Co. was obtained in 1938.

RSH locomotive numbering began at 6939, this being the first number following the sum total of locomotives built by Robert Stephenson & Co. and Hawthorn Leslie, (6938).

RSH became part of English Electric in 1955 and merged with GEC in 1968. [1]

Locomotive building at the Newcastle upon Tyne works ended in 1961 and at Darlington in 1964.

Diesel locomotives

RSH entered the diesel locomotive market in November 1937 with a "direct reversing" locomotive fitted with a Crossley two-stroke engine. There was no reversing gearbox and the diesel engine itself was reversible, as in marine practice. When starting, in either direction, power was supplied by compressed air until the engine fired. [3] One of these locomotives, Beryl (RSH 7697/1953), is preserved at the Tanfield Railway. After the 1955 modernisation plan of British Railways RSH responded by building the following class of diesel locomotives some of which are preserved (Including D306 & D318).

They also built the following for Australia.

Preservation

LocationCountryNameWorks NumberBuiltArrangementGaugePhoto and notes
The Norwegian State Railway Museum, Hamar, NorwayNONSB Class 2a No. 17 "Caroline"140718612-4-04 ft 8 1/2 inOperational
Egyptian National Railways Museum, Cairo, EgyptEGESR No. 98618660-6-0 An old steam locomotive; one of the oldest steam locomotive in the world which can be found in Cairo. The Egyptian Railways is the second oldest railways in the world after England. (7880905974).jpg

On display

Kaya Railway, SL Plaza, Kaya County, Kyoto, JapanJPNo. 2 [4] 210518732-4-0T3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Glenbrook, NZNZNo. F.233 [5] 259318850-6-0ST3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum NI2 Kathleen261318874-4-0T3 ft (914 mm)
C&LR 4-4-0T 2 "KATHLEEN".jpg

Static Display

New Jersey Museum of Transportation USA3 Lady Edith261418874-4-0T3 ft (914 mm)

Static Display

Ulster Folk and Transport Museum NILP&HC no. 1273818910-6-0ST5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Ulster Transport Museum, Cultra, Railway Gallery 07.jpg

Static Display

Railway Museum (Western Australia) AUS WAGR No. 201 288618984-4-4T WAGR 201 (5360007720).jpg

On display

Valley Heights Rail Museum AUS Commonwealth Portland Cement Co No. 2 299418990-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) Valley Heights Mixed at Museum June 2015.jpg

Operational, Nicknamed "Stevo"

Bressingham Steam MuseumGB LT&SR No. 80 Thundersley 336619094-4-2T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) LTSR Thundersley No. 80 4-4-2T - geograph.org.uk - 1780648.jpg

On display, on loan from the National Railway museum.

Belen de Escobar, ArgentinaARFCGM No. 907351219122-8-2T Locomotora Robert Stephenson numero 907.jpg

On display

Mid-Hants Railway GB S&DJR No. 88 389419252-8-04 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) Bishops Lydyard (3397526615) (2).jpg

Out of Service

North Norfolk Railway GB S&DJR No. 89 389519252-8-04 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) Midland Railway Centre, Swanwick Junction - geograph.org.uk - 1635228.jpg

Operational

Museum of Science and Industry USARocket407219310-2-24 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) Robert Stephenson locomotive, 1931 replica of 1829 original, view 1 - Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) - DSC06584.JPG

Replica, on display

Darlington Railway Preservation Society GBNo. 39694719380-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)On display
Beamish Museum GBRoker700619400-4-0CT4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Beamish Museum 2016 098.jpg

On static display awaiting overhaul

Tanfield RailwayGBHendon700719400-4-0CT4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Awaiting restoration
East Anglian Railway Museum GBPen Green (now Thomas)703119410-6-0ST (now with side tanks also)4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
54 first public steaming.jpg

Operational, converted into a Thomas the Tank Engine replica in March 2008, boiler ticket expires in 2027

Tanfield RailwayGBLysaghts703519400-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Awaiting restoration
Chatham Historic Dockyard GBAjax704219410-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Ajax Chatham Historic Dockyard.JPG

Operational, worked for the Ministry of Defence

Gwili Railway GBOlwen705819420-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Bronwydd Arms Gwili Railway geograph-3282182-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg

Undergoing overhaul

Foxfield Light Railway GBEustace Forth706319420-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Saddle tank locomotive, Locomotion Shildon, 28 April 2010.JPG

Operational, boiler ticket expires in 2027

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway GBSouthwick706919420-4-0CT4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Stored awaiting overhaul
Bressingham Steam Museum GBMillfield707019420-4-0CT 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Crane tank.JPG

Static display.

Tanfield Railway GB70781944Bo-Bo4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Built for 500v DC overhead system at Kearsley Power Station
Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam RailwayGBNorman708619430-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing overhaul; built as Austerity WD 75050
Strathspey Railway GB709719430-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Boat of Garten - geograph.org.uk - 38637.jpg

Awaiting overhaul; built as Austerity WD 75061

Tanfield RailwayGBNCB No. 49709819430-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Tanfield Railway pic 9.jpg

Operational (Returned to traffic July 2018, Boiler tickets expires 2028); built as Austerity WD 75062

Peak Rail GBRoyal Pioneer713619440-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
'Royal Pioneer' enters Darley Dale station- - geograph.org.uk - 1650017.jpg

Undergoing overhaul, built as Austerity WD 75186

Dean Forest Railway GBNo. 152 Rennes713919440-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Rennes WD152.jpg

Operational, painted in Longmoor Military Railway livery

Avon Valley Railway GB715119440-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
RSH 7151, Hunslet 1837.JPG

Stored awaiting overhaul.

Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway GB71515 Mechanical Navvy716919450-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn 7159 (6238876664).jpg

Withdrawn Sept. 2018; built as Austerity WD 71515

Gwili Railway GBWelsh Guardsman717019440-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Operational following a return to service in 2014; built as Austerity WD 71516
Midland Railway - Butterley GBGeorge721419450-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing restoration
Colne Valley Railway GBDoug Tottman72841945Bo-Bo4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn 7284 (6250860062).jpg

Built for Kearsley Power Station, rebuilt as battery electric for Heysham Power Station

Tyseley Locomotive Works GBFred728919450-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing overhaul; built as Austerity WD 71480
National Coal Mining Museum GBProgress729819460-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Static display
Elsecar Railway GBBirkenhead738619480-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Steam locomotive - Elsecar Heritage Railway (geograph 5419367).jpg

Undergoing overhaul

Tanfield RailwayGBSir Cecil A. Cochrane740919480-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Cochrane No.2.jpg

Operational

Private siteGBNorwood741219480-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing restoration off site
Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester) GBAgecroft No. 1741619480-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns 0-4-0ST Agecroft No 1 7416, MOSI, Manchester 23.07.2011 P7230049 (9859706253).jpg

Operational

Ribble Steam Railway GBAgecroft No. 2748519470-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Ribble Steam Railway - geograph.org.uk - 558035.jpg

On static display awaiting overhaul

Mainline Steam Heritage Trust, Plimmerton, NZNZEW 180574911951Bo-Bo-Bo3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Electric Locomotives Near Paekakariki.jpg

New Zealand EW class electric

Canterbury Railway Society, Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchuch, NZNZEW 180674921951Bo-Bo-Bo3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
NZR EW class locomotive 02.JPG

New Zealand EW class locomotive

Snibston Discovery Park GBMars No. 2749319480-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Awaiting restoration
Battlefield Line Railway GBRichard III753719490-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
BattlefieldLine3.JPG

Stored out of use

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway GBZebedee759719490-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing overhaul
East Somerset Railway GBMeteor760919500-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing restoration
Didcot Railway Centre GBBonnie Prince Charlie764419510-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Bonnie Prince Charlie Didcot.jpg

On static display awaiting overhaul. Used in title sequence of 1980s children's series The Saturday Banana.

Great Central Railway GBNechells No. 4764819510-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Chasewater Heaths Station - Chasewater Light Railway (geograph 4367493).jpg

Undergoing overhaul

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway GBBeano766119590-4-04 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Stored awaiting overhaul
Epping Ongar Railway [6] GB56766719500-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
No. 56 steaming.JPG

Stored awaiting overhaul

Spa Valley Railway GBSamson766819500-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Restoration on hold
Colne Valley Railway GBJupiter767119510-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Colne Valley Railway Preservation Society (2).jpg

Built for the Corby Ironstone works. Undergoing overhaul

Spa Valley Railway GBUgly767319500-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
14I09I2013 Spa Valley Railway C5.jpg

Operational

Fulstow Steam CentreGBFulstow768019500-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Operational. Built for Leicester Power Station.
Whitwell and Reepham Railway GBAgecroft No. 3768119510-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing overhaul
North Tyneside Steam Railway GBMeaford No.1768319510-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn No.1 on the crossover line Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn No.1 on the crossover line.jpg
Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn No.1 on the crossover line

Static display awaiting restoration

Tanfield RailwayGBBeryl769719530-6-0DM4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Awaiting repair
Garw Valley GB7705770519520-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing restoration
La Grange Railroad Museum, La Grange, KentuckyUSAMeaford No.2 (Flying Duchess)774519520-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) La Grange, KY, Ohio Valley Railroad. Steam Locomotive No 7745.JPG

Static display. Operated on the Boyne City Railroad in Michigan after being bought and transferred to the United States. After bankruptcy of Boone City RR, it transferred to the Tennessee Railway Museum in Chattanooga, then finally to a scrapyard in Louisville, KY, when it was saved from being destroyed and melted as scrap.

Tanfield RailwayGBNCB No. 44776019530-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
RSH 7760.jpg

Awaiting restoration

Epping Ongar Railway [7] GBCorby776119540-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
NTHC and BCM 017.JPG

Stored awaiting overhaul

Tanfield RailwayGBNCB No. 38776319540-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Tanfield Railway pic 10.jpg

Awaiting overhaul

Weardale Railway GBNCB No. 40776519540-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Undergoing overhaul
Tanfield RailwayGBCEGB No. 21779719540-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
CEGB no21.jpg

Awaiting overhaul

Tanfield RailwayGBNo. 47780019540-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
RSH 7800.jpg

Awaiting restoration, ex Celynen South Power Station

Midland Railway - Butterley GBCastle Donington Power Station No. 1781719540-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Castle Donington No.1 at the Colne Valley Railway (1).jpg

Undergoing overhaul

YaxhamGBCastle Donington Power Station No. 2781819540-4-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Awaiting overhaul
Tanfield RailwayGBNCB No. 16794419570-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
RSH 7944.jpg

Awaiting restoration

Dales Countryside Museum GB67345784519550-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Exhibit - geograph.org.uk - 1601417.jpg

On display, built for CEGB Hams Hall Power Station

Ferryhill Railway Heritage TrustGBNorth Downs784619550-6-0T4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)Under restoration - Boiler rebuilt
Gwili Railway GBMoorbarrow784919550-6-0ST4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Cranmore - Moorbarrow taking water.JPG

Undergoing overhaul

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References

  1. 1 2 Longhorn, Danny (29 June 2023). "Alstom celebrates 200th Anniversary of the World's First Locomotive Works in Newcastle". RailBusinessDaily. Retrieved 13 March 2024. The company merged with Hawthorn Leslie to form Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns Ltd in 1937, which went on to become English Electric and merged with GEC in 1968. In 1989 GEC merged with Alstom.
  2. "R and W Hawthorn, Leslie and Co Ltd".
  3. Industrial Railway Record no. 169, June 2002, pp 146-158, ISSN 0537-5347
  4. "Steam Locomotive". japaneserailwaysociety.com. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  5. "Steam Locomotive". gvr.org.nz. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  6. "Two new steam locomotives join the Epping Ongar Railway fleet". www.eorailway.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  7. "Two new steam locomotives join the Epping Ongar Railway fleet". www.eorailway.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2021.