87 is one of four Beyer-Garratt NGG16 (2-6-2 + 2-6-2T) locomotives, formerly from South Africa, that provide the power for the new Welsh Highland Railway. These are the most powerful narrow gauge locos in the world, which is necessary to cope with the hard gradients of up to 1 in 40 along the line pulling up to 12 coaches.

87 was not from the Beyer-Peacock set that 138,140 and 143 came from, but rather from an earlier batch built by John Cockerill in Belgium in 1936. Delivered to Port Shepstone in 1937, it is believed to have served its early years on branch lines in Natal and was withdrawn in 1986.

No. 87 was initially brought to the UK from South Africa for the Robin Hood’s Bay railway scheme, then moving to the Exmoor Steam Centre with sister NGG16s 109, 115 and 130 when the project failed to achieve planning permission. The WHR’s two NG15 locomotives were purchased direct from this failed scheme too in 1998.

A grant to cover the cost of purchase plus the cost of a full overhaul by the FR’s Boston Lodge works was made available from the Ffestiniog Railway Trust, following a donation from a private sponsor for this project. The sponsor has also decided that the locomotive will carry South African Railways black livery. This is a similar livery to 143, but 87 will be different in a number of small but significant ways.

Work has already begun, with both power bogies stripped for overhaul and a full set of drawings have been sourced from Johannesburg. The rear bunker will be completely replaced and despite a missing chimney, a pattern for a replacement has already appeared – a surprise gift from an ex Beyer-Peacock employee!

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1989, and 87 stands outside Donnybrook Shed in South Africa awaiting rescue.