RENOWN, THE GREAT SURVIVOR, TURNS 100
2020 saw 1920 Fowler R3 Special 8hp 18-ton showman’s road locomotive No. 15653 Renown celebrate its centenary. The engine was bought by its present owners, Ian and Gary Howard of Derbyshire, back in 1979 and has been widely exhibited at shows up and down the country ever since, often in conjunction with their set of Savage gallopers ride that was built in 1886.
Renown was ordered along with its sister engine No. 15632 Repulse in August 1919 and was delivered on May 8 1920 to showman John Murphy of County Durham. As was common with other Fowler showman’s engines neither had ‘barley sugar’ brass canopy supports, plain supports were fitted, rather appropriate for an engine that carried the logo ‘Plain but Powerful.’ Renown was fitted with a Thompson & Walton Feast crane, becoming the first engine to be fitted with one in Fowler’s factory. Both engines were delivered in a plain grey undercoat livery because of the urgent need for them to work with Murphy’s Peacock scenic ride, and although they were supposed to be painted the following winter, it didn’t actually happen. They did eventually lose their grey livery though, with both engines being painted blue and black at various times.
stayed with the ride for a number of years and initially worked with when the ride was in operation, one providing the lighting and the other powering the ride, ensuring a smooth start and avoiding any initial power loading. But when it came to the construction and came into its own. “Because it was fitted with a crane, it was used to lift the cars on and off as required,” Ian said. It was during these times that it was not uncommon for to have its fire lit for eight days at a time, due to its responsibilities of hauling, building and operating the ride.
