LPHC No. 3 R.H. Smith

Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners (LPHC) No. 3 "R H Smyth" is a preserved Irish steam locomotive.

Built by Avonside Engineering Company of Bristol, England works No. 2021 in 1928. A fairly typical 0-6-0 saddle tank built to the 5'3" Irish broad gauge, she led a rather uneventful life shunting the dual gauge (5'3" and 3') docks in Derry on the west bank of the River Foyle in Northern Ireland. She was equipped with a single central buffer and coupling. After withdrawal, she was bought privately in 1968 before being sold for £1 to the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland at Whitehead in 1972.

2000, 30 years after the end of mainline steam in Northern Ireland, No. 3 achieved something of a celebrity status when she was hired by Henry Boot Ltd to help engineering work on the relaying of the Bleach Green Junction - Antrim railway line. This was followed by further contracts including the relaying of the Carrickfergus - Whitehead railway line. She is nicknamed Harvey.During 2006, the locomotive was placed on loan to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway [http://www.downrail.co.uk/pdffiles/harvey.pdf] .

External links

* http://www.rpsi-online.org/locomotives/loco3.htm