PO unknown Steam Crane
 | | PO unknown Steam Crane |
| Present Location | Threlkeld | | County Location | Cumbria | | Designed For | PO | | Built by | Ruston Proctor | | Where built | Lincoln | | General type | 4w VB Steam Crane | | Specific type | Navvy | | First Number | w/n 306 | | Present Number | unknown | | Status | Static display | | Condition | Good | | Operating | No | | Stored | In the open | | Number of Wheels | 4 | | Gauge | 4ft 8 1/2in | | Rarity | Unique | | Notes | This machine was originally used at a chalk pit at Arlesey, in Bedfordshire, England. After the pit was closed, the steam navvy was simply abandoned and 'lost' as the pit became flooded with water. By the mid-1970s, the area had become a local beauty spot, known as The Blue Lagoon (from chemicals from the quarry colouring the water), and after long periods of drought, the top of the rusty navvy could be seen protruding from the water. Ruston & Hornsby expert Ray Hooley heard of its existence, and organised the difficult task of rescuing it from the water-filled pit. Hooley arranged for its complete restoration to working order by apprentices at the Ruston-Bucyrus works and with hundreds of hours labour and free help from many organisations.
Subsequently it passed into the care of the Museum of Lincolnshire Life. To Threlkeld Mining Museum September 2011. | | Grid Reference | NY 326244 | | Inspected by | Charles Best | | Date of Inspection | 15/05/2011 | | Photo by | John Bishop | | Photo Date | 10/11/2009 | | Date Record Last Updated | 30/01/2025 |
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