Steam Gallery

US 2-8-0 tender locomotive No. 1604 at Paddington Station, 1942

On December 11th 1942, for the very first time, an American built locomotive steamed into Paddington Station. Acute shortages of locomotives on the GW network due to locomotives being sent overseas caused operational problems that threatened to affect the service the Company could offer to both the government and the general public. This was alleviated in part by borrowing locomotives from other British Railway Companies and also reinstating previously withdrawn engines back into service. In 1942 however, a number of American locomotives were shipped over to Britain to assist the domestic transport network. In a ceremony held at Paddington Station on the 11th December 1942, United States 2-8-0 tender locomotive No. 1604, pictured here adorned with the British and American flags, was formally handed over to Lord Leathers, Minister of War Transport, by Colonel N.A. Ryan, Chief of Transportation for the American Army, who stated that he hoped the locomotive "will do as good work for you as British Engines have done already for us"

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Bomb damage to locomotives at Newton Abbot Station, 1940

On 20th August 1940 Newton Abbot Station was attacked by three German planes. This image shows the devastation that was caused by both bomb damage and extensive machine gun fire. Parts of the station were completely destroyed, along with damage to 15 locomotives, 52 passenger carriages and 22 goods wagons. In total, 60 people died or were seriously injured. The image shows pannier tank No. 2785 attached by chain to Grange Class locomotive, No. 6801, Aylburton Grange, to stop it falling into a bomb crater

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

Locomotive No.6989, Wightwick Hall, 1948

Hall Class locomotive, Wightwick Hall can be seen here at Tyseley in 1948. The locomotive was built in the same year. The locomotive was withdrawn in 1964 and is now preserved at the Buckingham Railway Centre

© STEAM Museum of the GWR

1940s, 1948, 6989, Hall Class, Locomotive, Wightwick Hall