The Apedale Valley Light Railway has announced that Bagnall ‘Woto’ is set to become a resident at the railway.

The locomotive has been owned by Patrick Keef, one of the directors of the well-known manufacturer and overhauled of narrow gauge equipment – Alan Keef Ltd, since 1988.

During his ownership, Woto has been converted from 3’6″ gauge to the more common 2’0″ gauge. However, Patrick has decided that now is the time to pass on the ownership of Woto to others.

It is expected that Woto will arrive at its new home in October but testing and crew training will need to take place before Woto can feature on passenger trains.

It is hoped that Woto will be in operation in time for the Winter Warmer Gala on the 28th of December.

“After 36 years of ownership, and with Woto reaching 100 years old, I felt the time was right for her to have a new lease of life. With the ever-increasing cost challenges for visiting engines, it felt only right that it should be resident on a railway where it would be used regularly, seen by many and enjoyed by all.

Patrick Keef

“We are delighted to be able to welcome Woto to the Apedale Valley Light Railway. Apedale, in north Staffordshire, is a particularly fitting new home for Woto, since it left Staffordshire a century ago. We would like to express our gratitude to Patrick Keef for allowing us to take this opportunity”.

Dr John Rowlands, co-chair of the Moseley Railway Trust