No.11 Maitland
No.11 Maitland
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No.11ย
Maitland
19 Tons, 10cwt
1905
2-4-0T
Beyer, Peacockย
B.P.4663
In Traffic
872,129 (@1964)
Director
11โ x 18โ
3โ 9โ
The second of two locomotives ordered in 1905 from Beyer, Peacock & Co., of Gorton in Manchester, the other being No.10 G.H. Wood, both these locomotives were named after company directors, in this instance Dalrymple Maitland.ย Originally carrying Salter safety valves, it was the recipient of a new boiler in 1934 and again in 1959 ensuring its longevity in regular service.ย For this reason it was rare for it to be out of use for long spells, indeed the withdrawal in 2006 until recommissioning in 2022 was the longest period of time the locomotive had ever been out of service.ย It formed part of the active fleet for the reopening in 1967, painted into the spring green livery it again carries today.ย ย
Through the dark days of the closures and short line workings of 1975 and 1976 the locomotive was still in regular use, only being withdrawn in 1980 when a new boiler was ordered for it as part of the ongoing commitment shown to the future of the railway following nationalisation in 1978.ย This was supplied by Israel Newton, the second supplied, the first having been supplied for No.12 Hutchinson in 1980.ย The new boiler was fitted in 1981 and at the behest of an enthusiast who paid for the paintwork, it was re-painted into the post-war Indian Red, the first locomotive to carry this since 1966.ย The new boiler tubes for this overhaul were funded by the Supportersโ Association,ย ย
After the fitting of new welded water tanks it outshopped to take part in filming a B.B.C. adaptation of The Ginger Tree in an unlined black livery which it retained for the rest of that season (though the wheels remained red giving it an odd appearance).ย It returned to a lighter variation on the Indian Red scheme with white and black lining in 1989, later featuring in the adaptation of The Tamworth Two and Five Children & It. Being a favourite with the crews for many years, it was referred to as the Millennium Falcon!ย The locomotive was fitted with a brass safety valve bonnet originally carried by No.13 Kissack until 1971 but this returned to No.13 Kissack in 2012 for a Winter Photography event.ย ย
After 2007 it was stripped for major overhaul and the frames were restored by Alan Keef Ltd., from 2017.ย It was later moved to the Statfold Barn Railway for reassembly and returned to home metals in January 2022, entering traffic after trials shortly thereafter and is now once again a valued member of the service fleet, and currently the sole example of a Spring Green locomotive in operation, though No.5 Mona also carries this livery.ย In 2025 the locomotive will be used to take part in the nationwide โWhistle-Upโ event on Wednesday 1st January in association with the Heritage Railway Association marking the Rail 200 event;ย
The Manx Heritage Transport Festival in July 2022 with No.11 on dining duty ready for departure from Douglas Station on another popular evening excursion.
November 1965 carrying a small plough with a train of one carriage at Port Erin Station, pushed up parallel to the building to save passengers from the elements.
July 2022 and No.11 on Ultimate Driver Experience duty at Castletown Station with single carriage F.18; this was one of the first of these duties undertaken.
August 1974 at Castletown Station with a northbound train, retaining the green livery which was standard at the time. Restored in 2022 this appearance is similar today.
Following a repaint into Indian Red with black and straw lining in June 1997 beside the coal butt at Douglas Station; this livery was retained until withdrawal in 2006.
June 1960 at Port Erin Station the crew posed beside No.11; this is the second year since a new boiler was fitted, note the smaller cast chimney and rivited patches on the tanks.
August 1955 at Douglas Station and No.11 still carries the tapered chimney with copper cap and brass numerals which would be lost with the 1959 reboilering to a plain cast chimney.
1905 official works photograph from Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd., showing No.11 in a pale (possibly photographic) livery complete with Salter safety valves and chimney numerals.