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Driver snaps up iconic steam engine
An iconic steam engine is set to stay at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) for the foreseeable future after it was snapped up for an undisclosed sum by a volunteer driver from Grosmont.
The British Railways 9F locomotive 92214 – one of the batch of steam locos to be built for British Rail in 1959 – was bought by Grosmont-based company PV Premier Limited, owned by Stuart Whitter.
It was built at Swindon works in 1959 at a cost of just over 33,000 and was engineered to haul heavy freight.
At the time it was known as a spaceship as a result of its huge size and shape.
Its hauling capability makes it an ideal engine for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway which has some of the steepest inclines on Britain's rail network and which operates trains comprising eight carriages on hourly journeys between Pickering, Levisham, Goathland and Grosmont.
The NYMR will now begin detailed discussions with the new owners with the aim of seeing the locomotive remain on the railway.
The heavy freight locomotive has been the subject of a painstaking restoration from a South Wales scrapyard, from where it had been condemned to its present superb condition by the 9F Locomotive Charitable Trust, from whom the locomotive was purchased.
Mr Whitter has been a volunteer driver on the NYMR for 30 years as well as being a professional rail traction engineer and major international projects consultant.
Other key players in the purchase are company secretary Valerie Walter and Danny Dymott who have been widely involved in planning and funding the aquisition.
Mr Whitter said: "The locomotive is already proving a great success and is drawing the crowds at the North Yorkshire Moors.
"This massive yet graceful machine attracts people to flock around it whenever it enters a station and is a definite bonus for visitors to the railway.
"It makes its presence felt wherever it goes.
"We are looking forward to working with the NYMR and fellow volunteers to maintain the locomotive to the same very high standard the 9F Trust have set, to ensure that this fabulous machine continues to entertain and educate future generations."
Since the locomotive arrived on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway several weeks ago as a guest engine, it has proved to be popular with many visitors enquiring about its timetabled running.
It has been the subject of a painstaking restoration by the 9F Locomotive Charitable Trust, from whom the locomotive has been bought.
Philip Benham, general manager of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, said: "We are delighted to hear that the engine has been purchased by a local firm.
" In order for the engine to become a permanent resident on the line, we now need to enter into detailed discussions with the new owners to iron out the various arrangements.
"We would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing owners for their help in keeping this wonderful engine steaming."
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Weather for Whitby
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
