Southwold's first steam loco

The Southwold Railway has acquired its first 3ft gauge steam locomotive, Peckett 0-6-0ST W/No. 1316 Scaldwell, from Amberley Museum.


Looking somewhat dilapidated, unusual 3ft gauge Peckett 0-6-0ST W/No. 1316 Scaldwell awaits restoration at Amberley Museum, before it departs for the Southwold Railway. KEN PENROSE


Built in 1913 by Atlas Works in Bristol for the Lamport Ironstone Company in Northamptonshire, Scaldwell has been a part of the Amberley Museum for many years, in an unrestored state.

As the 3ft gauge locomotive doesn’t fit in with the rest of the museum’s 2ft gauge collection, Amberley contacted the Southwold Railway Trust to see if it would be interested in purchasing the locomotive.

According to a press release from the SRT, Scaldwell has: “quite a bit of superficial rust and damage – but the basics are good, as far as we can ascertain. Peckett had a reputation for over-engineering their products.

“It is remarkably complete, with almost all its fittings intact – and the locomotive even comes with a spare set of unused wheels and axles.”

The Trust’s first objective is to raise funds for transporting the 0-6-0ST to Suffolk where steps will be taken to stop further deterioration. The Trust then plans to cosmetically restore Scaldwell for its new visitor centre at Southwold, with full restoration to working order a longer-term objective.

The SRT has been quick to reassure its members and supporters that it is not abandoning its project to build a replica of Sharp Stewart SR 2-4-0T No. 3 Blyth, one of the locomotive originally built for the Southwold Railway in 1879.

If anyone wishes join the ‘Friends of Scaldwell’ support group and help the Trust restore it, please contact chairman James Hewett at: info@southwoldrailway.co.uk.

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