Drewry/Vulcan Foundry 0-4-0DM

WD 72229

Built in 1945 for the War Department, this loco was originally fitted with a 153bhp Gardner 6L3 engine, but repowered in the 1950s with the present 6L3B Gardner, rated at 193bhp. Drewry sub-contracted all their locomotive manufacture, so this loco has both Drewry and Vulcan Foundry works Numbers, being one of 15 locos assembled under Vulcan works order 6078/44. Originally numbered 72229 under WD auspices, it was renumbered 838 in the WD's 1951 reorganisation, and after the WD rail operation was restyled as the "Ministry of Defence - Army Department", was renumbered 230 in 1968. Much of its early career was spent at the Army's depot at Stirling, but after BR took over shunting there in 1962, it was deployed at Moreton-on-Lugg and latterly Long Marston. In between, it would return to Bicester for attention.

It finished service with the Army by the late 1980s, but instead of being scrapped was fitted with train air brakes by Yorkshire Engine and transferred to Devonport Dockyard in 1992/3 to shunt nuclear flask wagons in connection with “Trident” nuclear submarines. In so doing it marked the end of the fleet of F C Hibberd "Planet" locomotives (similar to "Pluto") retained, like 230, because of their ability to negotiate the sharp curves within the dock environment. Thus 230, now carrying "Yard No.10432", and accompanying sister loco 249 became two of the oldest industrial locomotives still in operation at the millenium.

Finally retired in 2006, it passed to Andrew Briddon and was relocated to the Elsecar Heritage Railway, where it has returned to Army green and its original number. The vac brake installation was made in order to operate passenger trains, and the dynamo charge system was converted to solid state regulation in 2009.

In 2008 it visited Scunthorpe for the bi-annual AFRPS diesel gala, where pictured, handling loads of 120tons+ over the Corus complex. (You can see You-tube film clips of it arriving and departing Frodingham station - go to the Weblinks section of this site.)

It was in action (in 2009) at Elsecar's Diesel Gala (August 31st) and 1940s weekend (September 6 and 7th).

Photographs of the loco can be found in the Gallery section, here