Visiting Locomotives

2024

2409 – ‘King George’ Hunslet 0-6-0ST

Built by the Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds in 1942, No 2409 was delivered new to Linby Colliery, Nottinghamshire. After moving to Bestwood Colliery in 1959 and on to Gedling Colliery in 1960, No. 2409 was purchased by Titanic Steam Ship Enterprises and moved to Ecclestone, Staffordshire. In 1980 she was sold for scrap but was rescued and moved to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in June 1981. Painted red, the locomotive was restored at Toddington and became the first steam locomotive for over 30 years to reach Cheltenham Racecourse in February 2001.

‘King George’ was moved to Didcot in December 2011 and rebuilt over the next 11 years with side tanks replacing the saddle tank. King George returned to service at Didcot Railway Centre in July 2022 outshopped in a blue livery.

King George visited Fawley Hill for the NTT Transport Festival in May 2024.

8880 Aveling & Porter 0-4-0WT ‘Sir Vincent’

This locomotive was built by Aveling & Porter, a company better known for building traction engines, in 1917. It is an 0-4-0WT compound locomotive with an enclosed cab, steam brake and flywheel.

The locomotive was built for Vickers Armstrong Ltd who were armaments manufacturers based at Erith in Kent and the loco was named after its chief financier. In 1932, Sir Vincent was sold to British Oil and Cake Mills, also at Erith, Kent. It was withdrawn from service in 1966 and sold into preservation. Its new owner completely rebuilt it with a new firebox, coal bunker and tender. This work was completed in 1993.

The locomotive was based at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton between 1998 and 2003. It is currently owned by David and Patricia Buck and based at their private railway at Fifield in Berkshire.

In May 2024, Sir Vincent paid a visit to Fawley and operated in the yard during the NTT Vintage Festival Weekend.

4388 Kerr Stuart & Co 0-4-0ST ‘Witch’

This small industrial locomotive was built in 1926 and owned by the British Gas Light Co before being sold to Brookfield Foundry. Having been taken out of service in 1999, 4388 was purchased by Jack Dibnah in 2020 who restored the locomotive to working condition in 2022. The locomotive is now based at the Froxfield Railway at Stoke-on-Trent.

Jack first brought 4388 to Fawley for the NTT Vintage Festival Weekend in May 2024 where she happily hauled passenger trains, assisted by our Class 03 diesel providing braking on the 1 in 13 hill. She returned for our events in September.

2023

Hudswell Clarke & Co 0-6-0ST 'No 88'

We were delighted to be visited by Stephen Middleton's beautifully restored Hudswell Clark 0-6-0ST No 88 for our Members' Barbeque and for the presentation of the National Transport Trust awards by HRH the Princess Royal. Stephen was a recipient of one of the Sir William McAlpine Awards at this year's ceremony. Enjoy the sight and sound of No 88 running along the Hill Line.

No 88 poses with big sister No 31 outside the Museum at the end of a busy day

Avonside 0-4-0ST 1340 'Trojan' built in 1897 and normally resident at Didcot Railway Centre.

We had the opportunity for Trojan to make a flying visit to Fawley on her way to the Forest of Dean Railway. Here she is outside the Locomotive Shed, and making her way along the Valley Line.