Three's a crowd at Gartell

Shortly after her naming ceremony, 0-4-2T No. 8, Faith, (number on cabside but not yet on the bufferbeam) is flanked by 0-4-0T+T No. 9, Jean, and 0-4-2T No. 6, Mr G, at Common Lane station. MICHAEL LUCAS


The Gartell Light Railway welcomed the latest new-build locomotive to steam as the third member of its fleet – but only briefly.

Built by John Uphill, the man who constructed the 2ft-gauge line’s first steam locomotive, 0-4-2T No. 6 Mr. G, Britain’s newest steam locomotive made its first public appearance on August 29.

Named Faith, after Mr Uphill’s granddaughter, the 0-4-2T took 17 years to complete and is designed along the same lines as Mr G, albeit three inches longer with extended side tanks to increase water capacity and available weight for adhesion.

Faith’s residence at the GLR was only fleeting. Although the original plan had been for the locomotive to run at the railway, Mr Uphill retired to Devon before the engine was completed. Faith, which has been given the number 8, will instead live at the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.

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