The Highland Railway’s Ben Class

There were 26 of these 4-4-0 passenger locomotives, designed by Drummond and built in 4 batches - at Dubs of Glasgow, the HR works at Lochgorm and by the North British Locomotive Company. They were introduced in 1898 and construction was completed by 1909. Later examples were built with a larger boiler.

Having been previously taken into LMS stock, most of the class were withdrawn before they were able to receive their allocated British Railways number in 1948. The last survivor was No. 54398 Ben Alder and she was initially ear-marked for preservation. John Dyer caught up with her at Dawsholm MPD [65D] on 1/8/1964. The shed closed later in the same year. No. 54398 was moved to Boat of Garten, but was scrapped in 1967. Plans have been made since to build a replica of Ben Alder.