0-4-4 Tank Locomotive supplied to KCR for the Fanling - Sha Tau Kok LIne

Chinarail
prevnextoldernewer
0-4-4 Tank Locomotive supplied to KCR for the Fanling - Sha Tau Kok LIne

This is photo of one of two narrow-gauige (2 ft) locomotives built in 1923 by the W. G Bagnall  locomotive works of UK for KCR's Fanling to Sha Tau Kok line. They were disposed of only a year later after a decision was taken to close the line. They were sold to a sugar plantation and mill on Negros Island in the Philippines. Some sixty-plus years later they were rescued from the Philippines and shipped back to Hong Kong for preservation.  ( Photo from author's collection - The Locomotive Magazine September 1925)

 

Date picture taken
1923
Tags
Kowloon Canton Railway
Author(s)
Chinarail
Gallery
1920s Hong Kong

Comments

Is there any information about the process to find the locomotives and ship them back to HK. Was it an Urban Council/Govt museum initiative or was it the result of some local philanthropy?

WIKI response-believe it or not !

The repatriation of the narrow-gauge W.G. Bagnall locomotives from the Philippines (PI) was organized by the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), museum staff, and railway enthusiasts, led operationally by KCR's head of rolling stock Michael Yeoman. 

Repatriation Details

  • The Effort: Michael Yeoman and the KCR team led five years of protracted negotiations with the owner in the Philippines.
  • The Owner/Location: The engines had operated at the Victorias Milling Co. Inc. sugar cane plantation on Negros Island.
  • The Cost & Return: Purchased for $500,000 HKD in 1995 and shipped back to Hong Kong (housed initially at the Fo Tan depot).
  • Final Destination: One engine (No. 2227) was restored for display at the Hong Kong Railway Museum in Tai Po, and the sister engine (No. 2228) was sent to the UK for preservation. 

thanks IDJ - I admit to being a bit too lazy to bother searching. Hats off to Mr Yeoman for his huge role is preserving some amazing HK history!