The late Adrian Shooter’s Oxfordshire Beeches Light Railway resident locomotive No. 19 B. the 1889 built Darjeeling Himalayan Tank engine had it’s final steaming on Sunday 14^th May.

This followed a day of locomotive prepping including a warming fire plus one last clean and polish.

During the fitness to run examination, some concerning issues were noted by the crew such as several holes on the side of the chimney and just how tired the condition some of the mechanical components were.

The mechanical side of the overhaul was obviously carried out but only as much as was necessary.

It was envisaged that the upcoming overhaul would be very comprehensive (and potentially expensive) as a result.

Why was the BLR opened for one last time six months after Mr Shooter lost his battle with Motor Neurone Disease in Switzerland?

The auctioneers needed to photograph the items for the auction catalogue so only a skeleton crew was requested with Darjeeling Trust Chair Jeremy Davey taking charge of No. 19 B.

The BLS volunteers placed their wreath on the smokebox for this final Beeches steaming after which Mr Davey posted an emotional final message on the Darjeeling Tank Trust Social media platforms reading as follows:

A deeply emotional day today. With a skeleton crew we steamed 19B for a final, private occasion, ran her for lap after lap around the Beeches Light Railway, gave more footplate rides than we have ever given before, then quietly put her to bed as the invited guests left.

Her smokebox and tubes are swept clean, in her firebox the remaining embers are piled to cool the aging patches gently, her ashpan is raked out, her boiler is full and all is gently cooling. The motion has been wiped clean, the gauge glasses shut off, the clacks closed, and the chimney capped.

As her inner warmth leaves her, she will rest for the foreseeable. All the little bits removed to make her a tender engine have been placed in the cab ready for the auction in 5 weeks’ time. The original roof is leaning on the wall nearby. She is ready to find a new home.

Perchance she only sleepeth, they said. But we still choked up as we thought about it. An era has ended.

The Beeches and that incredible 1in22 climb through the woods will soon be no more. But if you would like to help the story of 19B – as an entertainer, an educator, a bringer-together of like-minded people – continue, please visit www.darjeelingtank.org.uk/support-us. We’d love to hear from you.

Finally, if you will permit me, a personal word. For the last 20 seasons Adrian and I have had the immense joy and privilege of working with an incredible group of people at the BLR. While other people took their boat, their caravan, or their horse on holiday, we all took our engine – to Wales, Cornwall, Cumbria, the Midlands, and even France.

Young people have cut their railway teeth on her. In many ways, the real joy was the people – 19B was just the catalyst. It has been an honour and a privilege to know them, and to work with them. And although we now go on to rails new, we will still meet, still joke, still tease, still talk, still listen… and still remember.

Those BLR crews that are not already members of the Statfold Barn Railway are undergoing the operating induction process there. The four Trustees’ wish is that ‘The Darj’ as 19 B is affectionately known, joins them after the auction. Readers can help by helping fund the purchase or giving voluntary assistance. Feedback from the preservation movement is that this historic locomotive remains under the care of Mr Shooter’s team.

Mr Pete Jordan, Trust Treasurer said that “Although we have raised well into six figure territory, we need a final push to ensure we acquire the locomotive and fund its overhaul which is planned to commence in the Autumn”.

Readers can help this project, more information is available at  www.darjeelingtank.org.uk