LSWR M7

Basic Information
Part of the early pre-grouping locomotives that operated on the Artic Island.

Pre-Grouping Years
This locomotive was originally purchased new by the Southern Pen Railway as their main passenger locomotive. It was numbered 2 as it was the second locomotive ordered by the SPR. It also ran occasional freight services and shunting along the railway.

Artic Island Service years
AIR No.16

This locomotive was inherited by the AIR in the 1912 railway grouping. Renumbered 16, but kept the original maroon livery with gold lining. The locomotive was used on the construction on of the West Coast branch line.

The Artic Island Railway retired their No.16 in 1935 as part of the 1935 Scrapping.

AIR Modern
The engine was found and restored as part of the 2006 Heritage Restoration Project. Returned to Service in 2007 on the quarry branch line for passenger duties. Painted in the locomotives historic SPR Maroon & Gold Livery with the locomotives AIR number 16.

Scrapping & Beaverbrae
After the locomotive's withdrawal in 1935, it was sent to be scrapped. In less than 12 hours of it's arrival at the scrap yard, the locomotive was stolen and the scrappers were compensated for by an anonymous source. Further investigations in 1935 came to no conclusions and AIR No.16 was considered to be lost.

After community request, the Heritage Restoration Project further investigated the disappearance of AIR No.16. They found archives of an unscheduled stop of the Beaverbrae at a private dock from it's final voyage. They retraced the ship's path and discovered it partially burred in ice. They found the M7 in a still intact section of the lower decks. It was shipped back to the Islands main engineering works for a full restoration.

Service History

 * 1870 - 1915 | WSR No.2
 * 1915 - 1935 | AIR No.16
 * 1935 | Scrap Siding
 * 1935 - 2006 | Beaverbrae Lower Deck
 * 2006 - 2007 | Full Restoration
 * 2007 Onwards | AIR No.16

Incidents

 * June 17th 1913 - Hit and killed a protester of the West Coast Branch Line
 * April 22nd 2007 - Steam leak in left cylinder causing a temporary delay on the line. Caused by a     un-tightened bolt from the restoration. Repaired Same day, no injuries.