Jordan 20.9.2008: A view across Amman shed’s turntable, upon which sits Wickham “trolley” No. 301 and beyond that a Land Rover, converted for rail use. Beside the Land Rover can be seen the depot’s lifting jacks; all maintenance for the remaining steam locomotives is carried out at this small shed, a tribute to the skill of the men working there. Pacific No. 85 carries builder’s plate Nippon/1959, but in fact the loco and four sisters were built in 1953, as a subsequently cancelled order for Thai Railways, being provided to Jordan Railways in 1959. Other steam locomotives present at Amman were Nippon-built Pacific No. 82, seemingly in working order; 2-8-2 No. 72 (HSP 2145/1956) not in use and another RSH 2-8-2, also out of use, but it was not possible to determine if it was No. 21 or 22. Lastly, 2-6-2T No. 62 (HSP 2148/1956) is mounted on a plinth, surrounded by bushes and not in good condition.
Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com