Dolphin (locomotive)

Early career

This locomotive was built in 1952 by the Hunslet Engine Company for Robert Hudson, hence the unusual manufacturers' title which appears prominently, cast into the locomotive's radiator frontage. It was built as one of a trio to operate in a sand and gravel pit in Twickenham and upon closure of the pit was put up for sale, together with her two sisters. She, along with one of the other two, was purchased for use on a pleasure railway that was established at Doddington Park in Chipping Sodbury and acquired a "steam outline" structure at this time. This consisted of a sheet metal half-cab with oval windows, false dome and chimney. The exhaust from the engine which had previously been directed beneath the frames was re-routed to be shot from this new chimney to give the appearance that the engine was "steaming" along. The locomotive never carried a name but had the heraldic crests of the country estate on the side panels. By 1980 the park was losing money and closed, the locomotive, her sister, carriages and all trackwork were put up for sale.

To Groudle Glen

When restoration of the Groudle Glen Railway began in 1982 the locomotive (and her sister) were purchased from the park together with all the rails, sleepers and associated pointwork, arriving on the Isle of Man shortly thereafter. In line with previous naming policy (the original locomotives had been named Sea Lion and Polar Bear as these animals were features of the zoo in the glen) the volunteers of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters' Association named the locomotive Dolphin and allocated it the fleet number "1". This was the first time fleet numbers had been given to locomotives on the railway, and curiously it was in fact the other locomotive (given the name Walrus and fleet number "2") that was first on site at the railway. Both locomotives were given a green livery and wooden nameplates, and until the return of Sea Lion in 1987, provided all the motive power for the line's public operations and permanent way trains. The locomotive is retained today and performs shunting duties and winter works train duties regularly.