- Builder: Consett Iron Company
- Built in: 1958
- Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0DM
- Worked for: Consett Iron Company
- Current Status: In Service
No.9 and No.10 of the Consett Iron Company’s locomotive fleet were built in-house at the Templetown locomotive works in Consett.
Heavily based on the Hunslet diesel locomotives owned by the Consett Iron Company at the time, the engines were made to withstand the harsh conditions of the blast furnaces and loads of molten steel. Very few parts of the locomotive were bought in, with the majority of components either being made on site or salvaged from other locomotives – the wheels were cut from steel plate. The deep buffer beams helped add extra weight to assist with braking and prevent lifting the engine too far when it derailed.
No.10 was donated to Tyne & Wear Museums in 1976 and initially acted as an air compressor whilst A.No.5 was being restored at Monkwearmouth Station Museum. When the collection was transferred to Middle Engine Lane, No.10 hauled the stock down from the unloading point at West Allotment.
Restored to its original livery, No.10 remains rarely used as it is unable to haul a passenger train due to not having train brakes. As a result of the locomotive being seldom used, volunteers have taken to opportunity to place No.10 in the main workshop where it is undergoing a full re-wire and overhaul. As part of this ongoing work, we are planning on integrating a vacuum call valve into the cab of the locomotive to finally allow her to run either a top-and-tail or double-headed service – with an additional fully braked locomotive.
