Dual-control Jools – is it a unique steam loco?

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THE 0-4-2T recently named Jools by entertainer Jools Holland OBE at the 7¼in-gauge Beer Heights Light Railway (RM Aug, p6) is possibly unique for a steam loco in having dual-control.

It was built by Exmoor Steam Railway (300 of 2000) and was new to Nick Dodson, of Railfilms, for his Isle of Man railway, where it was named Samastipur.

It was transferred to Beer Heights when the owner moved to Devon, and was later bought by the railway, located near Seaton, Devon.

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Following speeches by Beer Heights Light Railway officials, railway enthusiast Jools Holland (seen here wearing sunglasses) unveiled the tank side name as Jools and then had a ride around the mile-long track. PETER NICHOLSON

It was rebuilt and restyled when it became due for boiler repairs, including fitting with dual controls for driver experience courses. It has a second regulator on the back of the bunker and a camera on the gauge glass, which is viewed on a screen in the instructor’s riding van behind the loco.

The van is piped for the train vacuum and has a handbrake.

Jools can be stopped in an emergency by the instructor, who also monitors the water level.

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Livery was applied by hand and brush and is based on the Bluebell Railway’s ‘P’ class 0-6-0T Bluebell.

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