Locomotive No.10 'Dougal'

 No.10 'Dougal' - ARRIVING MID-2026

Type: 0-6-2T+T Steam Locomotive (coal-fired)
Engine: Twin outside cylinders, 4¼" × 5" (steam)
Weight: Approx. 3 tons (2 tons locomotive + 1 ton tender)
Built: 1970
Builder: Severn-Lamb Ltd, Stratford-upon-Avon
Other Notes: Rebuilt in 2009 with new boiler and tender; to be regauged from 15-inch to 12-inch and repainted into early Penrhyn-style black livery for Ruislip.

The Ruislip Lido Railway Society is delighted to announce the purchase of Dougal, a coal-fire 0-6-2T+T steam locomotive built by Severn-Lamb Ltd in 1970. The locomotive, which has most recently been based at The Valley Railway Adventure in Evesham, will shortly begin a programme of work to prepare it for operation at the Ruislip Lido Railway.

Dougal will leave Evesham before Christmas and be transported to a specialist contractor, where it will be regauged from 15-inch to 12-inch and undergo a series of upgrades and modifications to make it fully compatible at Ruislip. The tender process to select a contractor for the work is currently underway, with the aim of welcoming Dougal to Ruislip by mid-2026.

Originally built by Severn-Lamb Ltd of Stratford-upon-Avon for MiniRail Ltd at Longleat House, Dougal has enjoyed a varied career operating at Longleat House, and from 2004, at The Valley Railway Adventure (formally known as Evesham Vale Light Railway) where it received a major rebuild in 2009. This included a new larger boiler and tender, making it a powerful and capable locomotive, an ideal candidate for the Ruislip Lido Railway’s operating specifications.

Matthew Streeton, Chairman of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society, said:
“We’re thrilled to have secured Dougal and to welcome it to the Ruislip Lido Railway as part of the home fleet. Having a second steam locomotive at Ruislip running alongside our current steam locomotive Mad Bess, is something the Society has aspired to achieve for many years, and it’s fantastic news for securing the future of the locomotive. The Ruislip Lido Railway is run entirely by volunteers and this achievement is a testament to their dedication and enthusiasm.”

Chris Ladyman, Secretary of the Ruislip Lido Railway Society, added:
“I became aware that Dougal might be available and, after visiting and inspecting it with our Chief Mechanical Engineer, we knew it would be a great fit for Ruislip. Its 15-inch origins make it well-suited for conversion to a powerful 12-inch gauge locomotive, and once completed, it will be an excellent addition to the fleet. I’d like to thank all parties involved at both Evesham and Ruislip who have helped make this all possible.” 

The addition of Dougal marks a significant step for the Society, bringing the permanent locomotive fleet to seven and fulfilling a long-standing aspiration to secure a second operational steam locomotive.

 Check out our first video on Dougal on YouTube!