Princess: the last [steam] survivor

[@kholden2678]

During his time at the North Staffordshire Railway as locomotive superintendent, John Henry Adams would have known their chief engineer George James Crosbie Dawson who was my 2nd cousin 4x removed. The North Staffordshire Railway Study Group published an article in Journal 51 written by Mike Fell detailing George’s life. I was able to assist him with files from my genealogy research. There are great photos of the railway and men involved along with a lot of detail on the railway.

[@kenclarke1952]

Great vid thank you. You forgot to mention that between staying at Chatterly Whitfield and before going to Foxfield it was kept at Cheddleton Railway for some years.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Where it was left outside and went very very rusty.

[@cogidubnus1953]

A very welcome and timely return sir! What a very handsome locomotive...that livery somehow really suits those lines too! Thanks for introducing her to us...

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robinforrest7680]

Welcome back! We missed you. Fascinating insight into a smart little engine. Sad none of her sisters survived.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

One of them came very, very, very close to being preserved in 1969 but escaped at the last minute :(

[@robinforrest7680]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory Shame 😢

[@JRS06]

I've barely heard anyone talk about the North Staffordshire Railway, even though they seemingly had very nice engines. Princess/No.2 is a very nice looking engine, who should probably go to the NRM at some point so more people are made aware of her.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Funny you shyould say that... it came from the NRM as a gift to Foxfield. It used to be on display Locomotion until 2016. Now it's at Foxfield.

[@mattsmocs3281]

It always surprised me how often British folk replace parts like its nothing. Other than a few roads here most locomotives were designed so that you don’t need to replace so much everytime as that was costly. I have a locomotive thats only ever had a smoke box replacement, tires replaced, steam dome shortened, 2 inner firebox sheets replaced and 2 windows and a new forward buffer beam to be able to move about with cars that are shorter. Other than that it is the same locomotive as it was built in 1915 despite working till 1969.

[@terrier_productions]

As a volunteer of Foxfield, I’m happy to see a wonderful video on a NSR engine.. N° 2 is the first thing you see when you go to the Foxfield Railway’s museum and she is currently their largest engine.. such a shame that she isn’t steam able

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

small world. I'm the Museum Manager at Foxfield.

[@terrier_productions]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory I volunteer on the miniature railway.. I starting in April

[@mikebrown3772]

Northern collieries are responsible for the survival into preservation of several unique locomotives including the only surviving Taff Vale locos, both also 0-6-2Ts. I was very much involved with the restoration of No 28 about 40 years ago. Also a National Collection local it's 3 decades since it last steamed but its current custodians at the Gwili Railway are working on that.

[@biglittlerailroad874]

Oh for certain. Places like South Hetton, Hartley Main Colliery, and Lambton had locomotives that had been originally been built in the mid to late 1840's and 1860's, with many of them surviving into the 50's and 60's.

[@alistairsmith4308]

This is the first time I've ever seen our local number 2 spoken about on KZbin, I love her look, and wish one of the model railway groups would build one for sale as I can barely service so scratch build isn't an option. Thanks for being respectful to her, and I hope when stoke hits 150 they may be tempted to pay for foxfield to get her back in steam.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Thankyou. As Foxfield Musuem Manager, I hope No. 2 isn't restored to steam as given the incredibly worn out nature of the locomotive (boiler, cab, tanks, bunker, wheels, frame) any restoration would represent an unacceptable loss of historic material and paintwork. You'd end up with a new locomotive rather than a unique survivor from the NSR. Sometimes locomotives should be left as they are, as they entered preservation. It would also be unable to run on Foxfield as it's far too big and would be unable to take any of the curves.

[@malcolmtaylor518]

The North Stafford livery looks outstanding. Glad they kept it.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Me too. The paint is now very thin. Sometime in the past some badly applied layers of varnish have been put on, which is rapidly going brown, and also an attempt at touching up was made, perhaps when it was at the Churnet Valley. It will need re-painting eventually before it deteriorates any further but given it was put on at Crewe Works in 1960 and survived working coal trains for another decade its not done bad. The buffer beam numerals are in gold leaf.

[@Knappist]

Yes it was an outstanding little railway, my grandfather started work in the locomotive works office in the early 1900 it always had a dedicated work force

[@JohnBath-f8p]

Remember this loco at both Chatterley Whitfield Museum and Foxfield Heritage Railway.

[@hrunchtayt1587]

It’s been a hot minute Anthony, good to see new content! hopefully in the future could you potentially discuss about some of the monstrosities the Camden & Amboy Railroad produced like the infamous “monster” or even the Isaac Dripps 6-2-0?

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

One of those two is lined up for Halloween!

[@FQP-7024]

Boosting the algorithm because the content is as always, absolutely smashing

[@MGdriver]

Brilliant documentation! I like it so much and would be very pleased to visit the „Princess“ once.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Please do!

[@wideyxyz2271]

I do like an Adams radial (used on the Lime Regis branch long after their true sell by date). I'm also a sucker for the Beattie well tanks. Must be something about old engines continuing on obscure or tricky branch lines! Love anything to do with the KNOTTY, Great video as always...

[@paytonmynhier285]

Quite a story this Edwardian designed engine has. She is a prime example of class mates being taken apart and put back together to keep the lot going. I could proclaim at the possible crime of her being on a different set of frames, but those grievances are not needed. She is a looker and a piece of history that we should be thankful for.

[@channelsixtysix066]

Nice to have you back Anthony. I hope you are much better now.

[@foowashere]

A very curious spectrum of identities there. As always with working and wearing machines like this, you end up with something that is more of an _incarnation_, rather than any actual _instance_. And that’s just how life is, I suppose. Thanks for making and sharing, and I’m glad to see you back!

[@kenhanks9620]

Welcome "Back In The Saddle" from a follower in the US. 2 or 69 or whatever she is certainly about the most elegant (appropriately enough in this case) saddle tank loco ever! It is fortunate that at least she was saved to represent her class!

[@johnd8892]

Although this is a side tank Locomotive. Saddle tanks are so named because the water tanks are placed over the top of the boiler like a saddle. Usually just applied to the semi circular curved tanks and not to the later simpler to make pannier tank or the simpler to make box tanks also mounted high. All with the advantage of easier access to the inside motion and wheel bearings for lubrication but raising centre of gravity.

[@kenhanks9620]

@@johnd8892 Right you are. Was stretching a bit for my comment "back in the saddle/back on the job" comment and referencing the loco. Good thing I did not pursue a comedy career!

[@clangerbasher]

I like how you are very specific about her being the LAST steam loco of the NSR! :)

[@johnjephcote7636]

Is not there a battery locomotive in NSR livery?

[@clangerbasher]

@@johnjephcote7636 Yes. It is at the NRM. That is why I thought it clever.........

[@warriorstar2517]

I’m glad to see that you’ve returned, Anthony.

[@andrewhall2554]

Happy to see another video from you. Hoping you are feeling better now.

[@russellgxy2905]

Quite an interesting life Princess has lead, being not just the last of her class but the last of her railway as well

[@quicksilver238]

Nice photos.

[@williamhoward2731]

Awesome Historical photo's .

[@ianbertenshaw4350]

Another superb video Anthony ! Thank you !

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

My pleasure!

[@joshslater2426]

Such a nice loco, and really lucky to have survived. It’s just a shame she has no fellow NSR locos to reunite with.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

There's the NSR Battery Locomotive. There's two NSR locos in preservation. And about half a dozen carriages.

[@tnais]

Welcome back Anthony

[@BeegChonkBehr]

Almost looks like an early N2 prototype It’s nice to see you back and hope your ear infection is gone

[@johnd8892]

Or even closer to the N1 that evolved into the N2 later.

[@karltriebel4262]

If you took the tanks away and gave her a tender rather than a bunker I think she would look a lot like an LMS 4F.

[@alco1252]

The return of Anothny Dawson!!! I really hope you're doing better with your ear infection than you were earlier.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Thankyou. It's left me with *really* bad tinitis in my right ear :(

[@PaulinesPastimes]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory As a tinitis sufferer myself, my very best wishes go to you. Nice to see you back with a review of an 0-6-2, a lovely looking thing.

[@knuckles1206]

Lovely engine. Its design gives me midland vibes, especialy the cab, makes me wondor what a Midland 0-6-2 would be like. I can also see why i colliery would use her, given how much railways in south wales used 0-6-2Ts on coal trains.

[@schwarzalben88]

Is she still steamable? The North Staffordshire Railway’s Tank engines were very versatile. As a Railway company they ( like the L&Y) were renowned for working express passenger trains with them.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Nope. She was condemned in 1968 and hasn't steamed in preservation. Absolutely worn out and would need just about everything replacing to steam it.

[@instantjimi]

Such a shame she's unlikely to steam again (correct me if i'm wrong), would've loved to see her give it some beans up Foxfield bank but there y'are. Great video as always!

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

She''d never get round any of the curves at Foxfield. Far too big. She's also utterly worn out.

[@abloogywoogywoo]

On the subject of 0-6-2 tanks, be sure to make a video on Taff Vale Railway No.28 and No.85 someday!

[@johnd8892]

Hope your health issues that made us miss you are fully under control. I had taken an interest in the North Staffordshire Railway due to it being so profitable arising from the distance saving route purpose it was built for. Other larger railways nearby saving money by paying to use it for many purposes. At 4:40 Princess is not quite the only surviving or the oldest NSR Locomotive. The NSR 1917 built battery electric shunter being significant in lasting in service to 1963 and a very early pioneer of the recent wave of battery electric railway power.

[@petestuart6584]

And, there is the tank engine 'Newcastle' ( named after my home town Newcastle-under-Lyme), which although was not directly built by the North Staffs, ran on one of their branch lines.

[@PowerTrain611]

What a beautiful engine. Well worthy of the name Princess!

[@Petelmrg]

Thanks for a new video Anthony; I did a little research on No.2 a while back and found it as original as 'Flying Scotsman' - ducking for cover...

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

She is what she is: the product of a long working life both mainline, and on a colliery. She's original and authentic to herself.

[@TheSaint491]

My my, is that a plug for the adams radial tank..?

[@paulmishler402]

I was wondering, why do so many british steam locomotives have inside motion and pistons.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

A combination of tradition - started by Robert Stephenson with Planet in 1830 - but also by placing the cylinders close to the centre-line of the locomotive, there's less lateral oscillation or "hunting", and thus less damage to the track. Cylinders spaced far appart, away from the centre line, are more prone to lateral oscillation and damaging the track. It also makes them more stable at speed. :)

[@paulmishler402]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory oh wow thank you

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

@@paulmishler402 my pleasure

[@mary.of.mares.1470]

She looks like me but with out out of cylender and sidetanks

[@davidsheriff8989]

Very well researched - great story here....well reported

[@jacksalvin364]

She is saved from the scrapper's torch.

[@dansterland1824]

Have a model of that engine some.thimg similar now.i know what colour to paint it great video 😀😀😀

[@rd4in37]

Hope you are feeling better......how about Cardean????......

[@channelsixtysix066]

That name brings to mind No. 907 and Quintinshill.

[@rd4in37]

@@channelsixtysix066 Yes indeed....a classic engine none the less....

[@kennethjoseph9309]

Isn't the well tank is used for water reserves when the water tanks become low?

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

There are balance pipes between the side and well tank so they're in effect the same tank. You can see the balance pipe running under the footplate, just behind the foot steps.

[@profcraneporter]

Oooh, definitely not an engine I expected. As a big fan of the Adams Radial Tank (most beautiful tank engine built imo), these were certainly an interesting design. One correction however Anthony. No. 2 is the only surviving steam locomotive, however an electric engine, NSR no. 1 is also from the same railway. I believe I'm correct in saying this?

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

Oh yes I know. But sometimes you need to editorialise! She's the last steam survivor, and as this is a steam channel.........

[@profcraneporter]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory so, this aged poorly hehe

[@mistermadmachine6311]

It’s always a tragedy when your the last one 😢

[@NJPurling]

I would like to know the grounds for condemnation in 1968. I bet they don't sound that horrific by today's standards. What harm is there in performing an examination with modern equipment on what areas of concern are accessible without dismantling the locomotive. Back then the NCB would have viewed the cost of repair vs putting something like an 'Austerity' saddletank through an overhaul. You could get parts from the maker in Leeds or even have them do a re-build.

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

I'm the Foxfield Railway Museum Manager and No. 2 comes under my care. Basically she is absolutely worn out. The locomotive requires a new boiler, new tubes, new firebox, new wheels, possibly new axles, new tanks, cab, bunker. You would end up building a new locomotive and restoring nothing in the process.

[@cr10001]

@@AnthonyDawsonHistory So, virtually everything except the frames?

[@johnjephcote7636]

@@cr10001 For many years, the frames of Claud Hamilton languished in Stratford works with many chalked endearments upon't only to, eventually, be 'reduced to produce'.

[@toyotaprius79]

She big!

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

she big but no chonk.

[@percy215]

So that the ro scale whistle for the jinty i heard in roblox

[@jeanbonnefoy1377]

This locomotive's story is a bit like the infamous tale of the absolutely original authentic knife provided with a new replacement handle not long after its blunted blade has been changed.🤗

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

It's the Greek thought-experiment of Theseus' Ship writ large. Any "restoration" to working order would lose all of that history, but sadly most "enthusiasts" just want to see things run rather than be preserved and conserved, warts and all, for future generations to learn from.

[@ajaxengineco]

So, if I was listening hard enough, & I do try to even at quarter to eight in the morning - the present No.2 'Princess' could actually be No.69 with a lot of Princess attached to it; OR it could be No.2 proper with some of No.72 bolted on. Is that right?

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

yep! :-)

[@johnjephcote7636]

I tie myself up in knots when half asleep (those near-waking dreams that one cannot resolve), wondering what bits of Viscount Churchill (GWR 111) were actually the Great Bear.

[@jenniferphipps2012]

Princess The Royal Engine

[@warrior3456_]

neat

[@EpsilonR_]

forgive me for this, but every British 0-6-2t reminds me of the LB&SCR E4, E5, and E6 tanks....Princess not so much, but sort of. the firebox is what really, in my oppinion, sets princess apart from other 0-6-2s lol

[@The-Penniless-Gent]

Its a bitsa

[@EastboundProductions]

BRUH THATS NOT THE LAST STEAM ENGINE IN THE WORLD D

[@AnthonyDawsonHistory]

But it is the last North Staffordshire Railway Steam Locomotive.

[@johnclayden1670]

Exemplary, as always.

[@kommandantgalileo]

King George the 6th is number 69?!

[@Henry-oj1oo]

69. Nice