A 79-YEAR-OLD man has painstakingly recreated a 19th century steam locomotive with the help of one surviving photo.

David Young spent more than 5,000 hours, over three years, building Samson at Beamish Museum, near Stanley, based on the original 1874 narrow gauge engine.

He is following in the footsteps of his great, great grandfather, Thomas Young, who worked at Hetton Colliery Engine Works.

Today Mr Young officially launched the locomotive, alongside Paul Jarman, Beamish’s assistant director transport & industry, with whom he worked on the project.

Mr Jarman has written The Book of Samson, which tells the fascinating story of recreating the steam locomotive, which worked on the tramway to Cornish Hush mine in Weardale.

Volunteer Mr Young, who is a retired safety engineer, and Mr Jarman used the only surviving photo of Samson, two engravings and a contemporary trade magazine description to skilfully create from scratch a close reproduction of the original.

Mr Young of Fatfield, Washington, said: “I was never a hands-on mechanic, I was more an engineer sat behind a desk. This is basically a hobby gone mad.

“I’m from a generation where if you wanted things you had to make it.”

His great, great grandfather, Thomas, was involved in the building of steam locomotive Hetton Lyon No.2 - the Hetton engine at Beamish incorporates the remains from that engine.

The original Samson was built for the London Lead Company by Stephen Lewin, of Poole, Dorset, and was used in Weardale for a quarter of a century, before being scrapped around 1904.

The 144-page hardback book, The Book of Samson, also covers the history of the original Samson and its manufacturer, as well as information on Weardale’s locomotives and tramways.

Visitors will be able to see Samson in action at The Colliery Yard at Beamish on Saturday and Sunday from noon 3.30pm.