Built:                          1905

Builders:                   Beyer, Peacock & Co., Ltd., Manchester

Works No.:               4663

Name:                        Maitland

Name Origin:           Dalrymple Maitland, Company Director

Wheel Arr.:               2-4-0T

Re-Boilered:            1934 (New), 1959 (New), 1981 (New)

Weight:                      20t, 10 cwt

Current Status:       Withdrawn 2007, Awaiting Rebuild

Origins

Stalwart of the fleet, rarely out of service, the second of the 1905 locomotives was named after another company director, Dalrymple Maitland, and is fondly remembered by several generations of enthusiasts as the longest-serving fleet member. Having been in regular service since delivery, a re-boilering in 1959 ensured her future well into the final years of company operation, through the Ailsa years and into nationalisation.

Regular Performer

Having been in regular traffic throughout the turbulent pre-nationalisation years, nother boiler was fitted in 1981 (the first under government ownership) when she was re-painted into the current Indian red livery having previously sported a variation of the spring green colour scheme.  A further overhaul in 1991 saw replacement welded tanks fitted, the previous ones having been heavily patch-rivited beyond further repair.

Television Star . . .

In 1989 she was chosen to take part in a B.B.C. serial drama set in Russia called The Ginger Tree and this called for her to be re-painted into an un-lined matt black livery which she retained for the rest of that season, although her wheels remained in Indian red!  She reverted to a usual colour scheme in 1990, but with a variation in lining believed to be more akin to that applied in the period from 1944, and a non-standard shade of red known as "Madder" brown.

Withdrawal From Traffic

During the 2007 season the locomotive was again withdrawn, and has not seen service but is expected to be the recipient of the next new boiler and return to active service thereafter.  Her last boiler is currently in store awaiting repair.  No. 11 was distinctive for carrying a brass safety valve bonnet in latter years, although this was originally carried by No. 13; it is hoped to return this workhorse locomotive to service at some point in the future, but for the time being it remains in storage.