The locomotive fleet at the Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire has been expanded with the addition of an industrial diesel locomotive.

The new member of the fleet is a Sentinel diesel locomotive built in 1964 and fitted with a Rolls Royce eight-cylinder engine.

During its industrial use, it was named Derwent and used to transfer cement wagons from the Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire along a private branch line to Earles Sidings on the main line for transfer to mainline freight services.

Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire opened in 1929 and is now owned by Breedon Group.

It is the largest cement manufacturer in the UK and a major contributor to the economy of the Peak District National Park. Breedon Group has placed the locomotive on permanent loan with Wensleydale Railway.

Tthe Wensleydale Railway is one of the UK’s longest heritage lines and is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Train services are operated by heritage diesels between Scruton near Northallerton and Leyburn, but is working to extend passenger services beyond Leyburn to Redmire.

To assist in the extension, it has opened a just giving page at /https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/returntoredmire.

Mainly led by volunteers, the railway serves the local community, as well as tourists, and transport enthusiasts. There is plenty to see and do along the 22 miles of the line, including historic stations that have won awards. Costumed living history interpreters offer free guided tours of the stations and visitors what railway life was like in the 1900s.

We are delighted and thankful that The Wensleydale Railway have agreed to support the preservation of this locomotive, which is part of our industrial heritage, we look forward to seeing Derwent being returned to its former glory at its new home

John Mulryan, Maintenance Manager at Hope Cement Works

We’re very grateful to the team at Hope Cement Works for the permanent loan of their locomotive. We’re planning an Industrial Diesel Weekend in August and look forward to showcasing the loco at this event.

Terry Larder, a member of the General Management Group at Wensleydale Railway PLC