A 30-tonne Vanguard diesel locomotive has been temporarily rehoused as part of BSW Timber’s redevelopment of the former Arjo Wiggins Fort William paper mill site.
The Corpach Shunter has been moved 65 miles to the Strathspey Steam Railway, where it will serve as a tourist attraction until work on the new site, planned to be the UK’s largest sawmill, is complete.
It will then return to service at the site, as part of BSW’s commitment to using rail transport.
It was used at the Arjo Wiggins mill for 28 years until it closed in 2005.
“Using rail as a sustainable future transport method for the movement of timber products is a major opportunity for us,” said Andy Rogers, BSW’s Fort William mill manager.
“To this end we look forward to the return of the Coprach Shunter in due course to Fort William as our new sawmill facilities are commissioned and capacity grows.”
BSW made an explosive start to redevelopment work at the site, by razing a 210ft-high powerhouse in a controlled explosion.