On 31st August 1965, the celebrated No 18 was very much in use at Seaham. This locomotive which worked clearing spilt coal from under the staithes and also on repairs to the sea wall at Seaham Harbour was reputed to be Britain’s oldest working locomotive in 1968 at age 105 years having been built as a well tank by Lewin of Poole, Dorset, in 1863. It had been rebuilt several times. It ceased working in the early 1970s suffering from a major leak around the dome. Laid aside at Seaham it was taken to Beamish for preservation in January 1975. There it was restored to its original cabless well tank condition, looking very different. Many feel that it should have been preserved in the state it was at withdrawal - as seen here.

© David P Williams Archive / Rail-Online