WITH reference to the article about the Patons and Baldwins fireless locomotive (Echo Memories, Sept 29), this locomotive has not been in the North Road railway museum in Darlington for several years.

It was put out as unwanted some time ago. The Darlington Railway Preservation Society heard of this, and offered to give the locomotive a home in the building next to the museum. Although the society was short of room, its members felt that this loco was too important an item of Darlington's railway history to lose, and so found a space in their engine shed, where visitors are now able to view the locomotive.

These fireless engines are quite rare now. A lot of them were cut up for scrap. Luckily this one was saved by the society for the benefit of future generations.

It was not the only railway artefact disposed of at that time. Another locomotive, called Met, was also removed.

The society has preserved the locomotives from many Darlington companies, including Cleveland Bridge, Darlington Chemical Works and Whessoe, and has examples of engines built at the North Road shops and at Robert Stephenson's locomotive works.

It is important that any items relevant to Darlington's position as the birthplace of the railways should be preserved, and not disposed of without consultation with the people of Darlington.

Barrie Lamb, chairman of Darlington Railway Preservation Society