Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email: enquiriesatspavalleyrailway.co.uk
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(Photo ©A. Cottenham)

Fonmon

Works No. 1636
Peckett 0-6-0ST Built 1924,
Peckett of Bristol, England
Wheel Diameter - 3ft 7in
Length - 24ft 6in
Cylinders - 14in x 22in
Inside Stephenson valve gear
Tractive Effort - 15,343lbs
Weight in working order - 34 tons
Boiler Pressure - 160 PSI
Last in Service - 27th September 2009

Built in 1924, "Fonmon" spent most its life working on cement lines in South Wales. Owned by Messrs Aberthaw & Bristol Channel Portland Cement Co Ltd, it worked at their cement works in Rhoose.

It was preserved at the Avon Valley Railway, nr Bristol in the 1970s, where it worked passenger trains until expiry of it's boiler certificate in 1990. The engine was purchased by a society member in 1994, and taken to Swindon for overhaul, before arriving at Tunbridge Wells West in December 1997. It has has undergone further repairs since arrival, and has also seen extensive use on passenger trains, having now clocked up over 10,000 miles in just 7 years.

After 12 years service, "Fonmon" bowed out of service over the weekend of 26th and 27th September 2009. The locomotive department at the railway, having grown very fond of this gutsy little engine, ensured that she was well turned out and given a great send off, double heading with both Pannier 7715 and the Jinty.

The engine will now be placed on display whilst she waits for her overhaul to commence. This will be fairly comprehensive as she requires major work on the chassis and some heavy work on the boiler, including a re-tube. It is hoped that it will not be too long before this commences, although it will be a static exhibit whilst some of the other projects are completed.

Livery - Lined Green

Current Status - Out of Service - On Display Awaiting A Major Overhaul

Above:- Fonmon in use as a stationary boiler at Aberthaw and
Bristol Channel Cement Works, Rhoose in August 1964 - Photo Roy Etherington

Above Left:- Fonmon's nameplate catches the afternoon sunshine - Photo M. Carne
Above Right:- Fonmon's builder's plate bolted to the side of the cab - Photo M. Carne

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