Mardyke Class 55 D9019 ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’
Royal Highland Fusilier, built in 1979 by Mardyke, and delivered to the Belton House Light Railway. Whilst there is was downgraded from a co-co (three sets of wheels on each bogie) to a bo-bo (two sets of wheels on each bogie) and replaced with a less powerful 5hp briggs and stratton engine.
In 1998 RHF returned to Mardyke before being sold to the Lenham Light Railway in 2000 and only a year later moving to the Bolebroke Castle & Lakes Railway. At Bolebroke, she was restored back to a co-co arrangement and first received the ‘Royal Highland Fusilier’ nameplates. Shortly after she moved to a private railway in Kent, before moving yet again to Barnards in 2011, purchased by a private member.
Shortly after, Royal Highland Fusilier went into the workshops at CMD Engineering to be fitted with TWO 6.5hp diesel engines, making it (we think) the only twin engined 7 1/4 in existence). The engine temporarily carried the name ‘Ballymoss’ (number 55018), before being changed back to Royal Highland Fusilier, and was repainted back into BR Green.
She has had a few visits away from Barnards since her arrival, mainly to the Bluebell Railway in 2018 for a special Deltic event. She also went to the Dunhams Wood Light Railway for a special event in 2019.
Shortly after, Royal Highland Fusilier was removed from service for a full overhaul. Amongst the things being overhauled was: a new cab, electrics re-wiring, painting of the front ends, a new seat and plenty more. She is currently in overhaul and its hoped she will return to passenger train running in 2026.