One of the Isle of Wight’s most recognisable diesel locomotives is set to return home after 27 years away and a full restoration.
Class 03 shunter No. 03 179, built at British Rail’s Swindon works in 1962, spent its early career on the mainland before transferring to the Isle of Wight in 1987. It was one of 2 examples used to haul engineering trains following the withdrawal of the class elsewhere.
Painted in the striking red, white and blue of Network SouthEast, 03 179 became a familiar sight on the Island’s tracks for a decade before leaving in 1998. After a period working with private operators, it was finally withdrawn in 2016 and required a full overhaul.
In 2017, the locomotive was purchased by Andy West, Dale West and Andy Ashton, who embarked on an 8-year restoration project at their base in Rushden, Northamptonshire. The aim was always to bring the locomotive back to the Isle of Wight, fully restored in its original Island livery.
That ambition will now be realised thanks to a partnership with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. The agreement will see 03 179 return for an initial 10-year period, joining the railway’s collection of Island rolling stock.
Marc Morgan Huws, Chief Executive at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, has said:
“The two Andys and Dale have undertaken a superb restoration of the locomotive, and their dedication is a testament to the allure of our railway heritage.
“We’re delighted to be able to work with them to provide a home for 03 179 where she both fills an important gap in our collection but also provides us with a much-needed diesel locomotive to help mitigate against the potential to have to operate diesel rather than steam trains in hot and dry spells.”
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Andy West, co-owner of 03 179, has said:
“To be able to return 03 179 to the Isle of Wight in its iconic livery is something we discussed back in 2017, nine years later that discussion is about to become reality.
“Our partnership with the IW Steam Railway will see that 03 179 lives in the best possible place for its long-term future. We are so excited to be able to finally see the many hours of work come to reality and watch 03 179 be enjoyed by others while helping to tell the story of the Island’s railway history.”
The locomotive will make its journey across the Solent with Wightlink in October before making its first public appearance at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Island Loco Gala and Festive Ales Festival on the weekend of 29th-30th November.
The event, held in partnership with SWR’s Island Line, will feature a range of Island locomotives including 03 179, D2554/05 001 ‘Nuclear Fred’, Terrier W8 Freshwater and Adams O2 W24 Calbourne, with services and brake van rides running throughout the weekend.
