Railway Herald
Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 1 from the NCB Ayshire Area drifts down the gradient past the Dunaskin Washery mid morning on Friday 4th February 1977. She has deposited the loaded coal wagons just visible in the distance into the upper holding sidings. From there they will be gravity worked through the Washery, which is visible on the left of the image, for grading. The track forking to the right leads to the BR exchange sidings and then continues on to Pennyvenie Colliery a couple of miles up the valley. Steam is being raised on No. 1 as after a short break for a cuppa and a check of the loco she will depart back to the colliery with a load of empties returning around noon with loaded wagons. Another quick blast up the bank to the upper sidings to deposit these wagons will signal the end of steam working for the week. With the closure of Pennyvenie Colliery in July 1978 the sight and sounds of industrial steam in this part of Ayrshire ceased. The Ayrshire Railway Preservation Groups headquarters is now on this site and No. 1 is stored near to her old shed awaiting restoration.
Bob Woolnough
