1382 HISTORY

1382 is a Yorkshire Engine Company (YEC) Half Janus 0-6-0 diesel electric shunter built in 1961 / 62 at their Meadowhall works in Sheffield. 1382 was ex works Sheffield on 23rd February 1962, works no. 2872.

1382 was delivered by rail to United Steel Companies Ltd Colsterworth Quarries & Easton Mines, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. It was delivered with identical “sister” 1381 (works number 2871) in the period when the Colsterworth ironstone quarry system was moving from steam to diesel. (Colsterworth is the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton.)

The map shows the area around the quarry system in the early 1960’s.
Click on the map for an interactive version.
(Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland)

For further information regarding the Ironstone quarries, Eric Tonks has documented in detail many and his series of books are a facinating record.
This Ironstone Railway Society webpage details the Colsterworth quarries and mentions 1382 arrival.

1382 worked at the quarries until they were closed during 1972 / 73 when it was transferred to the Normanby Park Steelworks in Scunthorpe.

When the steelworks closed in 1981 it was purchsed in full working condition by two members of “Rocks by Rail” Museum (Rutland Railway Museum as was)at Cottesmore. It remained there, initially painted in a green livery (common to Scunthorpe locos at the time) but latterly repainted to it’s original Ore Mining Branch colours it can be seen in today and carrying it’s original plant number “1382”

Sadly by 2013 it had deteriorated and was no longer operational.
(Copyright: McBainsite.co.uk)

In 2013 1382 was acquired from the previous owners by Tony Sinclair with a view to completely restoring as a working engine.
On 11th May 2015 1382 was transported from Rocks by Rail to the Appleby-Frodingham Railway on the Scunthorpe steelworks site for a complete restoration, a task taking several years.
This restoration is well documented and photographed on the McBainsite.

1382 is seen here operating an Appelby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society tour of Scunthorpe Steelworks.
(Copyright: unknown)

It is a credit to those who restored it that it is the condition it is today. After restoration 1382 returned to Rocks by Rail where it operated regularly with shunting demonstrations. Seen below with a rake of ore wagons.
(Copyright: unknown)

In 2022 1382 was sold to Mr Paul Harvey who continued to maintain it until August of 2023 when we purchased it.

Having no background in heavy engineering we embarked on a learning curve. Thanks must go to Eric, Trevor and Derek, volunteers at Rocks by Rail for their help in training us to operate it and guide us with the maintenance aspects. Fortunately 1382 is a very easy engine to drive, no gears just a throttle, forward/reverse and yes a brake handle! We soon got to grips with light engine running, followed by some shunting of loose coupled wagons.

During the remaining time at Rocks by Rail 1382 carried out various duties around the site including shunting demonstrations on open days.

1382 seen here at Rocks by Rail on the last quarry day of 2023. Driver Trevor Kirk.
(Copyright: R. Jayes)