LPHC No.3 R.H. Smyth | |
Powertype: | Steam |
Builder: | Avonside Engine Company |
Serialnumber: | 2021 |
Builddate: | 1928 |
Uicclass: | C n2 |
Driverdiameter: | 3feet |
Cylindercount: | Two, outside |
Cylindersize: | 14x |
Operator: | Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners |
Fleetnumbers: | 3 |
Withdrawndate: | 1962 |
Currentowner: | Railway Preservation Society of Ireland |
Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners (LPHC) No. 3 R H Smyth is a preserved Irish steam locomotive.
Built by Avonside Engineering Company of Bristol, England works No. 2021 in 1928. A fairly typical built to the Irish broad gauge, it led a rather uneventful life shunting the dual gauge (5 ft 3 in and 3 ft) docks in Derry on the west bank of the River Foyle in Northern Ireland. It was equipped with a single off-centre buffer and coupling at each end for shunting gauge stock, in addition to conventional buffers and drawhooks for 5 ft 3 in gauge. After withdrawal, it was bought privately in 1968 before being sold for £1 to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland at Whitehead in 1972.[1] The engine then acquired the nickname 'Harvey' in honour of showjumper Harvey Smith.
In 2000, 30 years after the end of mainline steam in Northern Ireland, No. 3 achieved something of a celebrity status when it was hired by Henry Boot Ltd to help engineering work on the relaying of the Bleach Green Junction - Antrim railway line. This was followed in 2005 by another contract assisting the relaying of the Carrickfergus - Whitehead railway line.
During 2006, the locomotive was placed on loan to the Downpatrick and County Down Railway In 2013 it was returned to Whitehead where it awaits Overhaul.[2]