AS a teenager, Roger Hardingham was fascinated by steam locomotives and made a visit to Barry where the scrapyard belonging to Dai Woodham was full of redundant locomotives.
His heart was set on buying one but he couldn’t afford it. So, he started a group which quickly raised the funds to buy a former Southern Railway S15 (No 30506) which dated from 1920. Within a year, the group paid for the engine – securing it from being scrapped.
It remained at the yard in Barry Docks until 1976 because the small group of enthusiasts did not have the extra £2,500 to transport the locomotive to Hampshire at the Mid-Hants Railway.
Following arrival in Hampshire, the engine was restored back to its former glory after having many new parts made for it which had been lost at Barry. It steamed again in October 1987 and is seen today operating passenger trains on the heritage railway.
It is one of 213 locomotives that were ‘saved’ from the scrapyard and found new lives around Britain. Roger’s engine was just one of over 150 that have steamed again. Woodhams’ yard at Barry was the saviour of steam heritage in Britain and has provided enjoyment to millions over the years.
Readers can find out more about Woodham Bros at the Barry War Museum on Barry Island. It will be open today, Sunday 11th June, the day of the Barry Transport Festival.
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