The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum

This locomotive is currently located at the North Ings Farm Museum

"Penelope" is a 2' gauge four wheeled 18 hp. diesel mechanical tractor built by Motor Rail of Bedford in 1943.

Whilst very little is known of its early history and its builder's plate is missing, it has been identified as MR8826/43 and carries the Ministry of Defence number MOD No LOD758022. It is reported to have been used at an ammunition depot at Arsbeck in occupied Germany during the post war period. It later moved to the Cinque Ports Training Areas at Lydd on Romney Marsh.
Made redundant by more modern motive power, Penelope was offered to the museum and moved in due time to the North Ings Farm Museum near Sleaford, Lincolnshire where it is now in full working order.

It is thought that the name "Penelope" was applied during the loco's time in Germany, and it is now perpetuated on brass plates on the engine covers.

In use by the Army at Cinque Ports Training Area, Lydd on 28th September 1984. The other loco in the shot is Ruston Hornsby 211609 "Susan" which used to work at Hilsea. Image courtesy of the Industrial Railway Society.

In 1993 the loco was delivered road to North Ings Farm Museum but the lorry was too large to get near the track so a flat trailer had to be used for the last leg of the journey

The Army paint was removed and re-painting was in progress in Spring 1997

In service with the North Ings carriages in 1999

Routine maintenance continues - here it can be seen that a replacement fan belt was needed: the grease filled fan bearing was also cleaned out and re-packed with grease and the fan itself painted bright yellow - 2007

North Ings Farm Museum Railway is the venue for the annual Young People's Railway Experience Day,
organised jointly by the Museum and the TRPS East Midlands Area Group.
Instruction is being given on the correct way to operate Penelope.

During 2010 the loco was re-painted in Deep Bronze Green, more like its probable original livery. Repairs were carried out to the starting mechanism as it had become worn and unreliable. Here Penelope is seen on 20 November after its return to North Ings.
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