HODBARROW Mines and Millom Ironworks closed in 1968 but it took two years for demolition work and the removal of useful scrap metal – with the help of the existing railway system.

The last steam locomotive at work at the ironworks site had started life in Scotland known only by its works number of 2333 but acquired the name David as it passed from a working life into preservation.

It was one of several industrial locomotives which featured in a talk on Millom’s railways to Millom and District History Society by Evening Mail Memories Page writer Bill Myers.

The Barrow News of July 3 in 1970 recorded the last working days of David.

It noted: “Joseph Walker, 61, of Lapstone Road, Millom, works with one of the last steam locomotives ‘on active service’ left in Britain.

“The locomotive is the David and is employed moving scrap at the Millom Ironworks which closed in 1968.

“Mr Walker, who is superintendent in charge of locomotives at Millom, had 17 locomotives and 10 mobile cranes under his charge when the ironworks was working.

“There are still steam locomotives in Britain housed in museums but those still working are mostly on the tourist attraction railways run privately or by preservation societies.

“The David is one of the very few still doing the job for which it was built.

“It is named after Mr Walker’s grandson.

“Mr Walker started at Millom in 1940 and has been superintendent of engines since 1950.”

The 38-ton David was built by Andrew Barclay at Kilmarnock and was delivered to Millom Ironworks on January 25 in 1953

David went to Steamtown, Carnforth, in 1971 and arrived at its new home on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway on March 14 in 1978.