No. 6950    0-6-0DH    Louise

Builder: Hunslet Engine Co.            Weight: 55T            Power: 325HP        Built: 1967

Status: Operational

When built in 1967, this locomotive was first allocated to Hamble Oil Refinery in Southampton. From which it later moved to Mobil refinery on the Isle of Grain. Its final place of work was Coryton Refinery in Essex, where it was only occasionally employed. The loco has a 325HP engine which enabled it to haul heavy oil train formations around the various Oil Refineries. This makes it ideal for use on the steep grades of the Elsecar Railway. The locomotive was fully overhauled and restored over the 2005/2006 period at the BP Loco works at the refinery. It is now being finished as it was originally delivered in 1967, in the BP House colours of green, white and yellow with BP Crests. The locomotive has now been kindly donated to the EHR by British Petroleum. It was named Louise on arrival at Elsecar, and is used on the heaviest passenger trains when a Steam Locomotive is not available. The locomotive was transported to RMS Locotec at Wakefield to receive heavy repairs to its rear axle hornguides during spring 2007. Louise is currently been repainted in the NCB two-tone green livery and receiving work on its gear box.