Motor Rail Simplex No. 7902 Amey

We are excited to announce that the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort has kindly donated Motor Rail Simplex No.7902, affectionately known as Amey, to the Old Kiln Light Railway CIO, a registered charity in England and Wales (No. 1201028).

Amey shortly after arrival at the OKLR, 1st March 2025

Amey is an important piece in the story telling of narrow-gauge railways and this generous donation from LEGOLAND Windsor Resort shall allow us to preserve the locomotive for future generations. After a full restoration in the coming years the public will be able to see Amey hauling trains at the OKLR and learn about its long and varied commercial and industrial history. With its previous ownership at LEGOLAND, we believe that No. 7902 Amey is one of the longest serving narrow gauge diesels in industrial/commercial ownership within the UK.

History

Amey is Motor Rail Simplex works number 7902, a 6 Ton variant of the 32/42HP class built in 1939. Over 600 of this class were built between 1932 - 1958; Today only 11 of this class are known to survive.

No. 7902 has had a long and varied industrial life. Its construction was completed on the 3rd November 1939 for use at Imperial Chemical Industries at Rainham in Essex, where it dutifully worked for just over 30 years.

In the early 1970s it was moved to the Llanberis Lake Railway, assisting with the construction of Dinorwig Power Station by laying power cables alongside the lake. For a brief period in the 1980s, No. 7902 was based at the Brecon Mountain Steam Railway, before moving on to Alan Keef Ltd. in the early 1990s. Whilst at Alan Keef Ltd. No. 7902 was rebuilt and fitted with a replacement Dorman 3LB engine, giving it a new lease of life. After the rebuild No. 7902 was kept as part of the Alan Keef Ltd. hire fleet, where it was used for the Woodhead Cable Tunnel amongst various other contracts.

Amey was brought to LEGOLAND Windsor Resort in 1996 prior to the park opening and was named Amey after the daughter of the then Facilities Manager. Amey was painted in its current pink colours by LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. The original ride specification for Legoland’s 2-foot gauge railway required a second locomotive (Amey) powerful enough to act as a rescue locomotive in the event of a breakdown of the service train. Amey suffered clutch issues roughly 10 - 15 years ago and has been in storage ever since, prior to its move to the OKLR on the 28th February 2025.

Amey’s Future

Amey is to be given an in-depth assessment to allow us to make an accurate restoration plan. Amey is known to have clutch issues and shall require an engine rebuild as a minimum. Amey’s overhaul is expected to take a number of years and will progress as volunteer availability and funding allows.

Once Amey is restored it is our intention to use it as a working exhibit, along with interpretive educational information on the locomotive’s history for the benefit of public education. Amey will become a useful asset to the OKLR, being a rare representation of its class and showing what engineering means must be taken to keep a locomotive operating. With the heavy weights and powerful engine, it should be a solid performer in terms of rail grip and pulling power, making it very suitable for our steeply graded line. It will have no trouble acting as a rescue locomotive in case of an in-service failure of our heavier steam locomotives, filling a gap not currently met within the railway’s operational capabilities.

Amey at Mills Wood level crossing, 1st March 2025

View here for more information on Amey at the OKLR