This Day in History: 1923-12-18

18 December 1923

River Esk was delivered to Ravenglass, a brand new loco from its makers, Davey Paxman & Co of Colchester. River Esk signalled a distinct change in 15" gauge design ideas in the UK and Europe. The good bits were copied and improved on in locomotives built in both the UK and Germany.

The fire for the first trip on home rails was lit by Bob Johnson and the loco's designer, Henry Greenly. It ran for its first season in 1924 painted in grey primer with a white cab roof and carrying the large initials R.E.R. on the tender.