Scottish Industrial Railway Centre facts for kids

An Andrew Barclay saddle tank, normally resident at the Caledonian Railway (Brechin), operating on the centre's running line in 2005

Locomotives outside the old NCB Waterside Shed

The Scottish Industrial Railway Centre is a special museum where you can explore the history of trains used in industries like mining. It's run by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group. This centre has many different types of trains, including large steam locomotives and diesel locomotives that run on standard tracks. They also have some smaller trains and a huge collection of old photographs.

Journey Through Time: The Centre's History

The railway centre first opened in 1980 at a place called Minnivey Colliery near Dalmellington, Scotland. A colliery is an old coal mine. However, in 2002, the group had to move the centre because of issues with their land agreement. They found a new home nearby at the Dunaskin Heritage Centre.

In 2005, the Dunaskin Heritage Centre faced problems when it lost its funding from the local council and had to close. Even though the main centre closed, the railway group worked hard. They managed to keep the railway running, offering fun steam train rides at the Dunaskin site by borrowing a locomotive.

For a couple of years, in 2006 and 2007, they couldn't run as many trains because they didn't have enough working locomotives. But things got much better after they finished a big repair job on one of their steam engines, Andrew Barclay N.C.B. No. 10. Since 2008, they have held many successful steam days, letting visitors enjoy rides and see the historic trains. In 2023, the group learned that the buildings they use might be sold, which means they might need to find a new plan for the future.

Amazing Steam Locomotives

The museum is proud to have a collection of Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. steam locomotives. These are special trains that run on steam power!

• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST N.C.B. No. 16: This engine was built in 1910. You can see it on display at Dunaskin. It will be fixed up after another locomotive, No. 277644 Tees Storage, is restored.
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST N.C.B. No. 19: Built in 1918, this one is currently stored and not in use. Some parts have been made to look nice again.
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0F No. 8: This unique "fireless" locomotive was built in 1928. It's special because it doesn't have its own fire! It gets its steam from another engine, No. 10. It was fully repaired in 2015 and is the only working fireless locomotive in the UK. You can often see it running alongside No. 10 on steam days.
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST N.C.B. No. 10: Built in 1947, this engine is working again after a boiler problem in 2021. It even swapped boilers with No. 19 to get back on track!
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST N.C.B. No. 23: This locomotive from 1949 is stored with other trains and wagons.
• Andrew Barclay 0-6-0ST N.C.B. No. 25: Built in 1954, this engine is waiting for its turn to be restored.
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST N.C.B. No. 1: This locomotive from 1955 will be one of the last steam engines to be fixed up at the centre.

Powerful Diesel Locomotives

The centre also has a range of diesel locomotives. These trains run on diesel fuel instead of steam.

• Andrew Barclay Sons & Co. 0-4-0DM "Powfoot" No. 1: This diesel engine is working well and often moves other trains around the tracks.
• Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DM No. 399: This locomotive is currently being repaired and is expected to be ready in 2023.
• Hunslet Engine Company 0-4-0DM No. 107: This engine is stored and not currently in use.
• North British 0-4-0DH No. 277644 "Tees Storage": This one will be restored after No. 399 is finished.
• Ruston and Hornsby 4wDM No. BE116: This engine is stored and not in use.
• Ruston and Hornsby 4wDM No. 324 "Blinkin Bess": This engine is also stored and not in use.
• Ruston and Hornsby 4wDM No. 417890 "Johnnie Walker": This locomotive is waiting for its restoration to begin.
• Ruston and Hornsby 0-4-0DM No. 421697: This engine is stored and not in use.
• Sentinel 4wDM No. 10012: This diesel engine is working and often helps move trains around the railway yard.

Rolling Stock: Wagons and Carriages

Besides the locomotives, the centre has many different types of goods wagons. These include British Railways 16-ton mineral wagons, which were used to carry coal or other materials. They also have pallet vans, which are wagons designed to carry goods on pallets. Some of these vans were once owned by the famous Scotch Whisky maker, Johnnie Walker. The railway also has a special London, Midland and Scottish Railway Inspection Saloon, which is a carriage used for inspecting the railway lines. It has recently been repaired.