Dolphin (locomotive)
Encyclopedia
Dolphin is a diesel locomotive currently based on the Groudle Glen Railway
. Dolphin has a sister locomotive Walrus
.
for Robert Hudson
, hence the unusual manufacturers' title which appears prominently, cast into the locomotive's radiator frontage. It was built as one of a trio to operate in a sand and gravel pit in Twickenham
and upon closure of the pit was put up for sale, together with her two sisters. She, along with one of the other two, was purchased for use on a pleasure railway that was established at Doddington Park
in Chipping Sodbury
and acquired a "steam outline" structure at this time. This consisted of a sheet metal half-cab with oval windows, false dome and chimney. The exhaust from the engine which had previously been directed beneath the frames was re-routed to be shot from this new chimney to give the appearance that the engine was "steaming" along. The locomotive never carried a name but had the heraldic crests of the country estate on the side panels. By 1980 the park was losing money and closed, the locomotive, her sister, carriages and all trackwork were put up for sale.
began in 1982 the locomotive (and her sister) were purchased from the park together with all the rails, sleepers and associated pointwork, arriving on the Isle of Man
shortly thereafter. In line with previous naming polcy (the original locomotives had been named Sea Lion
and Polar Bear
as these animals were features of the zoo in the glen) the volunteers of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
named the locomotive Dolphin and allocated it the fleet number "1". This was the first time fleet numbers had been given to locomotives on the railway, and curiously it was in fact the other locomotive (given the name Walrus and fleet number "2") that was first on site at the railway. Both locomotives were given a green livery and wooden nameplates, and until the return of Sea Lion in 1987, provided all the motive power for the line's public operations and permanent way trains. The locomotive is retained today and performs shunting duties and winter works train duties regularly.
Groudle Glen Railway
The Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
. Dolphin has a sister locomotive Walrus
Walrus (locomotive)
Walrus is a diesel locomotive currently on the Groudle Glen Railway. Walrus has a sister locomotive called Dolphin.-Early career:...
.
Early career
This locomotive was built in 1952 by the Hunslet Engine CompanyHunslet Engine Company
The Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
for Robert Hudson
Robert Hudson Ltd
Robert Hudson Ltd was a major international supplier of light railway materials, based in Gildersome, near Leeds, England. The name was later changed to Robert Hudson Ltd.- The business :...
, hence the unusual manufacturers' title which appears prominently, cast into the locomotive's radiator frontage. It was built as one of a trio to operate in a sand and gravel pit in Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
and upon closure of the pit was put up for sale, together with her two sisters. She, along with one of the other two, was purchased for use on a pleasure railway that was established at Doddington Park
Doddington, Cheshire
Doddington is a civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England, which lies to the north east of Audlem and to the south of Crewe. Nearby villages include Blakenhall, Bridgemere, Checkley, Hatherton, Walgherton and Wybunbury...
in Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury
Chipping Sodbury is a market town in the county of South Gloucestershire, south-west England, founded in the 12th century by William Crassus . The villages of Old Sodbury and Little Sodbury are nearby...
and acquired a "steam outline" structure at this time. This consisted of a sheet metal half-cab with oval windows, false dome and chimney. The exhaust from the engine which had previously been directed beneath the frames was re-routed to be shot from this new chimney to give the appearance that the engine was "steaming" along. The locomotive never carried a name but had the heraldic crests of the country estate on the side panels. By 1980 the park was losing money and closed, the locomotive, her sister, carriages and all trackwork were put up for sale.
To Groudle Glen
When restoration of the Groudle Glen RailwayGroudle Glen Railway
The Groudle Glen Railway is a narrow gauge railway north of Douglas in the Isle of Man which is owned and operated by members of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association and operates on summer Sundays; May to September and Wednesday evenings in July and August along with a number of...
began in 1982 the locomotive (and her sister) were purchased from the park together with all the rails, sleepers and associated pointwork, arriving on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
shortly thereafter. In line with previous naming polcy (the original locomotives had been named Sea Lion
Sea Lion (locomotive)
Sea Lion is a steam locomotive built in 1896 to supply the motive power to the Groudle Glen Railway on the Isle of Man and the locomotive still provides the main traction there today. The locomotive was built by W.G. Bagnall & Co., Stafford and delivered to the line in May of that year, providing...
and Polar Bear
Polar Bear (locomotive)
Polar Bear is a Bagnall steam locomotive built in 1905 for the Groudle Glen Railway, to supplement the similar Sea Lion. The two Bagnalls were temporarily taken out of service in the 1920s when they were replaced by a pair of battery locomotives. These proved unsatisfactory, and Polar Bear and...
as these animals were features of the zoo in the glen) the volunteers of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association
The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association is a railway preservationist group dedicated to the continued operation of the Isle of Man Railway on the Isle of Man Since its inception in 1966 the group have provided volunteer workers and a watchdog role and commenced its own project in the...
named the locomotive Dolphin and allocated it the fleet number "1". This was the first time fleet numbers had been given to locomotives on the railway, and curiously it was in fact the other locomotive (given the name Walrus and fleet number "2") that was first on site at the railway. Both locomotives were given a green livery and wooden nameplates, and until the return of Sea Lion in 1987, provided all the motive power for the line's public operations and permanent way trains. The locomotive is retained today and performs shunting duties and winter works train duties regularly.