The Road to the Washer (RTW).

Right to the very end of the WPR’s existence the environs of Methil were constantly echoing to the sounds of hard working steam locomotives. The 1 in 66 incline which connected Methil Exchange Sidings to the colliery and washer at Wellesley followed rising ground known locally as White Swan Brae. It was quite a challenge to the engines and their crews, and particularly those charged with carrying coal to the Baum Washer.
Much of this coal had arrived at the exchange sidings from pits served by BR such as the Frances and Seafield with trainloads of around fifteen 16 ton steel wagons forming the normal consignment for a single locomotive up the hill.

On 5th March 1970, the WPR engine on washer duty was 0-6-0ST No. 16, and all seemed well at the start of the morning’s work. The locomotive sits in the yard at Methil (1) with a full head of steam, temporarily separated from its wooden auxiliary bunker which is being replenished in the yard. The distinctive profile of the White Swan Inn is visible beyond in the spring sunshine.

Whether a counting error occurred will never be known, but the fact remains that No. 16 took charge of an excessive load for its second sortie to the washer that morning. The outcome was a slow and tortuous ascent which came close to stalling at several points.



Photo by and copyright of David P Williams