Ex Butlin’s Limited 4-6-2 ‘Princess Royal’ Class
outline diesel hydraulic locomotives and coaches.

With both locomotives now lying out of use, J.H. Rundle Ltd. General Engineers of New Bolingbroke near Boston in Lincolnshire, a firm specialising in dealing in miniature and narrow gauge locomotives, purchased them with a view having them repaired and selling them on. 6203 moved to their yard by road in April 1971 and 6201, already in a dismantled state, followed early in 1972.

The two locomotives remained in Rundle’s yard in un-repaired state until 1978 when they were sold to John Wright, a scrap dealer with premises at Whaploade, near Fenland Airfield, Holbeach St. Johns, Lincolnshire. He intended to restore them to full working order and, having also acquired the remains of three of the original bogie coaches and a quantity of track, intended to operate them on a line laid down on his own site. However no work was actually done on them at that time.

Whilst writing a monograph book with Brian Radford about the full-sized No. 6203 ‘Princess Margaret Rose’ which Brell Ewart had purchased from Butlin’s in 1988 which at the time was being restored to full main line operating condition by the trust, a letter came from Neville Knight advising him of the collection of 21 inch gauge locomotives and rolling stock still in John Wright’s yard. Brell Ewart decided to purchase the whole collection, and all of the items were recovered by working parties on 23rd and 25th February 1991, and all most moved to the West Shed site, the new home of the trust.

6203 was fairly easily recoverable from the front of the yard, but 6201, in its dismantled state, with the upturned chassis being buried in mud amidst weeds, brambles and nettles, proved more difficult. Surprisingly the original nameplates and builders plates were still in situ. The remains of the three bogie coaches, by now in a very bad state, plus quantities of track were also recovered.Upon arrival the engine of 6203 was briefly coaxed back into life on 25th February, but the transmission could not be made to function – not surprising after 20 years out of use!

Together again after 25 years.
The scene outside the heavy overhaul shop at Swanwick
on 24th February 1991 as the 21 inch gauge miniature
6203 ‘Princess Margaret Rose’ stands in front of
her full sized sister and amazingly her engine is coaxed back into life.
(Robin Stewart-Smith)

Since that date the small 21 inch Gauge Group of trust members, headed by Graham Oulsnam, have worked wonders. 6203 has been completely stripped down and rebuilt, every part being renovated and repaired or replaced, the engine and gear box overhauled and the braking system refitted. Its tender has likewise been overhauled, and the transformation is quite unbelievable. Re-united with a tender restored elsewhere, the locomotive was brought to life again briefly for the first time on 20th January 2001. The team has also been responsible for the magnificent effort that resulted in one of the ‘toast rack’ bogie coaches being completely rebuilt. Fortunately, enough of one seat remained to permit accurate replicas to be made by Eddie Dolby, whilst the underframe, bogies and running gear have also been repaired and air braking equipment re-fitted.

Work continues on the second locomotive 6201 ‘Princess Elizabeth’ that will require the manufacture or repair of many major parts. Considerably more time and effort will be needed since she lacks a number of major components including an engine and gearbox and axleboxes, so she will be a static exhibit only for the foreseeable future.

Working Life - Restoration - Preservation