Royal Arsenal Railway
Encyclopedia
The Royal Arsenal Railway was a private military railway. It ran inside the Royal Arsenal
, Woolwich
, south east London
.
The earliest parts of this railway system proper were constructed to standard gauge
from 1859 onwards as a to replace an ad hoc arrangement of individual plateway
s. Laying of plateways had started in 1824 and was completed by 1854-5; they then came under the control of the Corps of Royal Engineers. From 1871 onwards some of the track was constructed as narrow gauge and it comprised some 50 to 60 mi (80.5 to 96.6 km) of track. It ran in some form from 1871 until much of it was abandoned between 1919 and 1933 and various locomotives were advertised for sale during 1919-22 and in 1933. Some of the dual gauge track was removed at the same time. However five new narrow gauge locomotives were bought in World War II
, between 1934 and 1941; and a final one from Hunslet Engine Company
in 1954. The remaining narrow gauge lines finally closed in 1966.
Parts of the narrow gauge track were built as dual gauge
track, with the outer rails gauged to standard gauge
; other parts of the site were only served by standard gauge track. Some 120 miles (193.1 km) of mixed
or purely standard gauge track existed by 1918.
and the development of steam locomotion
, the construction of an gauge railway was approved in 1866. It was based on the Crewe Works Railway
operating since 1862 inside the London and North Western Railway
's Crewe Works
.
Construction of the Royal Arsenal's gauge railway began in 1871 although it was not officially opened until 10 January 1873.
The gauge railway provided for the movement of both goods and passengers within the Royal Arsenal. This system, along with a similar one operated by the Admiralty
at Chatham Dockyard
were important proving grounds for the 'mainstream' outside framed narrow gauge steam locomotive as exemplified in particular by the pioneering '6 inch by 8 inch' Manning Wardle
0-4-0ST locomotives used at both sites. During the 1870s and 1880s further 18 inches (457 mm)gauge steam locomotives arrived at Woolwich from Vulcan Foundry
and Hudswell Clarke
whilst experiments were carried out under the direction of Lt. Col. F.E. Beaumont into the development of compressed air motive power for rail usage on both main gauges of the Arsenal's railway system. The system's passenger service for workmen also probably began during the 1880s initially using simple 'knifeboard' carriages inspired by vehicles used in Chatham dockyard and by the Royal Engineers. The 1890s saw further steam locomotives added, mainly of the 0-4-2T configuration built for the abortive Suakin-Berber campaign, whilst internal combustion motive power made its appearance in the form of the first of five oil locomotives by Richard Hornsby
. The period from 1900-1916 saw the 18 inch gauge system in particular rise to its zenith to become the most extensive locomotive worked narrow gauge railway on the British mainland, but the glory was not destined to far outlast the 1918 Armstice and its subsequent decline is dealt with in the section above.
Locomotive data from various sources
, near Plumstead railway station
. According to local press reports, the link was opened in 1859 and this would appear to be the date that the early plateways were replaced by more conventional permanent way. Early internal motive power appears to have been by means of horses, whilst during the period from 1871–1875, the 18 inch gauge locomotive Lord Raglan appears to have undertaken some standard gauge stock movements by means of special bufferbeams (later removed) and mixed gauge track. The first standard gauge locomotive, Manning Wardle
0-4-0ST Driver, arrived on the Arsenal's railway system in 1875 and for the next thirteen years exclusive reliance was placed on the Leeds company's four coupled products for day-to-day working (even two out of the three experimental compressed air locomotives tested on the standard gauge line during 1880-1 were officially Manning Wardle products) until a Hawthorn Leslie incursion into the market in 1888. From this period up to 1917 the standard gauge locomotive fleet was augmented steady by second-hand acquisitions and new machines from various sources. Rolling stock by World War One consisted of such diverse items as standard goods wagons, rail ambulances and proof sleds and gun wagons requiring special heavy gauge running rails. The surviving pre-1903 standard gauge locomotives in 1919 were quickly disposed of bar one 'hulk' but overall the inter-war rationalisation was less severe than was the case with the 18 inch gauge and the passenger service was even transferred to the standard gauge in 1923. Despite the transfer of much material away from the Arsenal in the early stages of World War Two, there was a revival of fortunes during this period, with the acquisition of more steam and diesel locomotives taking place during the period from 1936-40. During the post Suez rundown, withdrawals of the steam fleet came thick and fast and there were even a few diesel replacements drafted in during the late 1950s from other Ordnance sites, but this did not delay the inevitable and the standard gauge system closed when munitions manufacture at Woolwich ceased in 1967.
During World War Two, two Diesel locomotives of the same gauge were obtained, although the reason for their purchase is unknown:
Royal Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...
, Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
, south east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
The earliest parts of this railway system proper were constructed to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
from 1859 onwards as a to replace an ad hoc arrangement of individual plateway
Plateway
A plateway is an early kind of railway or tramway or wagonway, with a cast iron rail. They were mainly used for about 50 years up to 1830, though some continued later....
s. Laying of plateways had started in 1824 and was completed by 1854-5; they then came under the control of the Corps of Royal Engineers. From 1871 onwards some of the track was constructed as narrow gauge and it comprised some 50 to 60 mi (80.5 to 96.6 km) of track. It ran in some form from 1871 until much of it was abandoned between 1919 and 1933 and various locomotives were advertised for sale during 1919-22 and in 1933. Some of the dual gauge track was removed at the same time. However five new narrow gauge locomotives were bought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, between 1934 and 1941; and a final one from Hunslet Engine Company
Hunslet Engine Company
The Hunslet Engine Company is a British locomotive-building company founded in 1864 at Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England by John Towlerton Leather, a civil engineering contractor, who appointed James Campbell as his Works Manager.In 1871, James Campbell bought the company for...
in 1954. The remaining narrow gauge lines finally closed in 1966.
Parts of the narrow gauge track were built as dual gauge
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
track, with the outer rails gauged to standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
; other parts of the site were only served by standard gauge track. Some 120 miles (193.1 km) of mixed
Dual gauge
A dual-gauge or mixed-gauge railway has railway track that allows trains of different gauges to use the same track. Generally, a dual-gauge railway consists of three rails, rather than the standard two rails. The two outer rails give the wider gauge, while one of the outer rails and the inner rail...
or purely standard gauge track existed by 1918.
History and use
Due to the needs of moving ammunition during the Crimean WarCrimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
and the development of steam locomotion
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
, the construction of an gauge railway was approved in 1866. It was based on the Crewe Works Railway
Crewe Works Railway
The Crewe Works Railway was a narrow gauge internal tramway system serving Crewe Works, the main locomotive construction works of the London and North Western Railway and later the London Midland and Scottish Railway...
operating since 1862 inside the London and North Western Railway
London and North Western Railway
The London and North Western Railway was a British railway company between 1846 and 1922. It was created by the merger of three companies – the Grand Junction Railway, the London and Birmingham Railway and the Manchester and Birmingham Railway...
's Crewe Works
Crewe Works
Crewe railway works is a British railway engineering facility built in 1840 by the Grand Junction Railway. It is located in the town of Crewe, in the county of Cheshire....
.
Construction of the Royal Arsenal's gauge railway began in 1871 although it was not officially opened until 10 January 1873.
The gauge railway provided for the movement of both goods and passengers within the Royal Arsenal. This system, along with a similar one operated by the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
at Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional...
were important proving grounds for the 'mainstream' outside framed narrow gauge steam locomotive as exemplified in particular by the pioneering '6 inch by 8 inch' Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,...
0-4-0ST locomotives used at both sites. During the 1870s and 1880s further 18 inches (457 mm)gauge steam locomotives arrived at Woolwich from Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry
Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway...
and Hudswell Clarke
Hudswell Clarke
Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:...
whilst experiments were carried out under the direction of Lt. Col. F.E. Beaumont into the development of compressed air motive power for rail usage on both main gauges of the Arsenal's railway system. The system's passenger service for workmen also probably began during the 1880s initially using simple 'knifeboard' carriages inspired by vehicles used in Chatham dockyard and by the Royal Engineers. The 1890s saw further steam locomotives added, mainly of the 0-4-2T configuration built for the abortive Suakin-Berber campaign, whilst internal combustion motive power made its appearance in the form of the first of five oil locomotives by Richard Hornsby
Richard Hornsby
Richard Hornsby was born in Elsham in Lincolnshire on June 4, 1790. He lived with a farming family, the son of William Hornsby and his wife Sarah.-The formation of his company:...
. The period from 1900-1916 saw the 18 inch gauge system in particular rise to its zenith to become the most extensive locomotive worked narrow gauge railway on the British mainland, but the glory was not destined to far outlast the 1918 Armstice and its subsequent decline is dealt with in the section above.
18 inch gauge locomotives built for use at the Arsenal
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Raglan | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
353 | 1871 | Scrapped after 8/1914, by 3/1916 |
| Boxer / Victoria | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
477 | 1873 | Sold to unknown buyer 1917 |
| Albert Edward | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
482 | 1873 | Sold 1919 to J.F. Wake thence to unknown buyer (Maker's spares supplied 1920) |
| Rocket | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
555 | 1875 | Scrapped June 1914 |
| Norman Ramsey | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
605 | 1876 | Scrapped June 1914 |
| Trumpeter | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
612 | 1876 | Scrapped August 1915 |
| Shrapnel | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
613 | 1876 | Disposal as Manning Wardle 477 |
| Vauban | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
685 | 1877 | Disposal as Manning Wardle 477 |
| Coehorn | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
696 | 1878 | Scrapped November 1916 |
| 0-4-0 | Royal Arsenal workshops | 1877 | Prototype Beaumont compressed air locomotive; out of use by 1881 | ||
| Fusee | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
939 | 1884 | Sold to J.F. Wake 1919, thence to Swanwick colliery, sold or scrapped after 12/1924 |
| Gordon | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
986 | 1886 | Sold 1919 to J.F. Wake, sold or scrapped after 12/1927 |
| Torpedo | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
1043 | 1888 | Sold February 1918 to J.F. Wake, sold or scrapped after 12/1927 |
| Arquebus | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
1130 | 1889 | Disposal as Manning Wardle 477 |
| Iron Duke | 0-4-0ST | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
838 | 1878 | Scrapped 1914 |
| Carronade | 0-4-0ST | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
268 | 1884 | Auctioned 1922, sold or scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Culverin | 0-4-0ST | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
269 | 1884 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 268 |
| Hector | 0-4-0ST (improved version of 268-9 with longer rear overhang) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
273 | 1885 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 268 |
| Achilles | 0-4-0ST (as 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
274 | 1885 | Auctioned 1920 and 1921, sold or scrapped shortly after one of these auctions (Note: three class members had disappeared by early 1921) |
| Scipio | 0-4-0ST (as 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
280 | 1885 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 274 |
| Hannibal | 0-4-0ST (as 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
281 | 1885 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 274 |
| Basilisk | 0-4-0ST (as 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
288 | 1886 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 274 |
| R.L. No.6 / Grenade | 0-4-0ST (cut down version of 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
295 | 1887 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 268 |
| Militades | 0-4-0ST (as 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
345 | 1889 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 268 |
| Ajax | 0-4-0IST | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
1442 | 1895 | Auctioned 1920 and 1921 sold or scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Lachesis | 0-4-0 (later 2-4-0)Compression Ignition Oil Locomotive | Hornsby Hornsby - Places :* Hornsby, Cumbria, a place in Cumbria, Northern England* Hornsby, New South Wales, suburb of Sydney, Australia** Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, local government area of Sydney... |
1705 | 1896 | Sold 1919 to J.F. Wake, sold or scrapped after 12/1927 |
| Clotho | 2-4-0 Compression Ignition Oil locomotive | Hornsby Hornsby - Places :* Hornsby, Cumbria, a place in Cumbria, Northern England* Hornsby, New South Wales, suburb of Sydney, Australia** Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, local government area of Sydney... |
4535 | 1900 | Scrapped 10/1915 |
| Atropos | 2-4-0 Compression Ignition Oil Locomotive | Hornsby Hornsby - Places :* Hornsby, Cumbria, a place in Cumbria, Northern England* Hornsby, New South Wales, suburb of Sydney, Australia** Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, local government area of Sydney... |
5245 | 1901 | Scrapped 11/1918 |
| Hecate | 2-4-0 Compression Ignition Oil Locomotive | Hornsby Hornsby - Places :* Hornsby, Cumbria, a place in Cumbria, Northern England* Hornsby, New South Wales, suburb of Sydney, Australia** Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, local government area of Sydney... |
5883 | 1902 | Disposal as Hornsby 1705 |
| Alecto | 2-4-0 Compression Ignition Oil Locomotive (Opposed Piston) | Hornsby Hornsby - Places :* Hornsby, Cumbria, a place in Cumbria, Northern England* Hornsby, New South Wales, suburb of Sydney, Australia** Hornsby Shire, New South Wales, local government area of Sydney... |
7226 | 1904 | Disposal as Hornsby 1705 |
| Pluto | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
761 | 1901 | Sold by auction 1921 to Taquah Mining & Exporation Co. Ltd, Gold Coast, sold or scrapped by 1957 |
| Polyphemus | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
762 | 1901 | Auctioned 1922, sold or scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Phaeton | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
763 | 1901 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 761 |
| Pegasus | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
807 | 1902 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 761 |
| Prometheus | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
808 | 1902 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Phoenix | 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
809 | 1902 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Regulus | 0-4-0ST (updated version of 761) | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
1266 | 1912 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Pompey | 0-4-0ST (as 1266) | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
1267 | 1912 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Brutus | 0-4-0ST (as 1266) | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
1268 | 1912 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Petrolea | 0-4-0ST (as 1266 but oil fired) | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
2400 | 1914 | Disposal as Kerr Stuart 762 |
| Megaera | 4w petrol-mechanical locomotive | Baguley-McEwan-Pratt | 630 | 1914 | Sold by auction 1921 to Lewes Portland Cement Co. Ltd., regauged to 2 ft. and scrapped 1931 |
| London | 0-4-0ST (updated version of Hudswell 273) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1144 | 1915 | Sold 1922 and re-advertised for sale in "Machinery Market" for 7 July that year - sold or scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Carnarvon | 0-4-0ST (as 1144) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1145 | 1915 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 1144 |
| Kent | 0-4-0ST (as 1144) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1146 | 1915 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 1144 |
| Cornwall | 0-4-0ST (as 1144) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1147 | 1915 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 1144 |
| Essex | 0-4-0ST (as 1144) | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1148 | 1915 | Disposal as Hudswell Clarke 1144 |
| Bristol | 0-4-0T (oil fired) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1715 | 1915 | Sold 1/1933 to George Cohen Sons & Co. Ltd., Canning Town - sold or scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Glasgow | 0-4-0T (as 1715) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1716 | 1915 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Liverpool | 0-4-0T (as 1715) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1717 | 1915 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Newcastle | 0-4-0T (as 1715) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1718 | 1915 | Still extant 1936, scrapped by 1947 |
| Derby | 0-4-0T (as 1715) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1747 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Woolwich | 0-4-0T (as 1715) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1748 | 1916 | To E.L. Pitt & Co. Ltd. 1960; Bicton Woodland Railway 1962; to RGM Waltham Abbey via Alan Keef Ltd. 2000 and on loan to Crossness Engines Trust 5/2011 |
| Waltham | 0-4-0T (coal fired) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1749 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Birmingham | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1750 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Sheffield | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1751 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Charlton | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1752 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Leeds | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1753 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Manchester | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1754 | 1916 | Out of use by 1947, scrapped 1951 |
| Colchester | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1755 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1718 |
| Cardiff | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1756 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Berkeley | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1757 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Enfield | 0-4-0T (as 1749) | Avonside Engine Co. | 1758 | 1916 | Disposal as Avonside 1715 |
| Albert | 0-4-4-0 Diesel-mechanical | Hunslet Engine Co. | 1722 | 1934 | Sold to R.N. Bradbury, Warrington for scrap 10/1961 |
| 4w Diesel-mechanical | Ruston Hornsby | 192886 | 1939 | Sold to Taurus Nicholls, dealer, Greenwich 1971 and subsequently scrapped | |
| 4w Diesel-mechanical | Ruston Hornsby | 213839 | 1942 | To Bicton Woodland Railway 1971 via Lemon Burton, dealer, London | |
| 4w Diesel Mechanical | Ruston Hornsby | 213840 | 1942 | To Stanfield Nurseries, Littlehampton 4/1971 thence to Great Bush Railway, Sussex where regauged to 2 ft. | |
| Carnegie | 0-4-4-0 Diesel-mechanical (updated version of Hunslet 1722) | Hunslet Engine Co. | 4524 | 1954 | Sold to F. Darnell, North Ockenden, Essex, thence to Bicton Woodland Railway 2/1966. To RGM Waltham Abbey via Alan Keef Ltd. 2000 |
18 inch gauge locomotives built for the Royal Engineers and later acquired by the Arsenal
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4-2 Back Tank (built as 2-4-2BT) | Fox Walker | One of 399-404 | 1878 | Transferred from Medway Fortifications circa 1900, scrapped by 1914 | |
| Vulcan | 0-4-2 Back Tank | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
939 | 1883 | Surplus to RE direct requirements after the failure of the Suakin-Berber Railway project owing to condition - probably scrapped soon after 1886 (see next entry) |
| Mercury | 0-4-2 Back Tank | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
1075 | 1884 | See remarks for previous locomotive. No.s 939 and 1075 were used in 1886 experiments in the Arsenal by Thomas Russell Crampton and probably scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Mars | 0-4-2 Back Tank | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
1160 | 1885 | Transferred from Medway Fortifications circa 1900; transferred for constructional work on Longmoor Military Railway 1905, withdrawn 1919, scrapped between 1924 and 1930, sectioned boiler extant |
| Venus | 0-4-2 Back Tank | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
1161 | 1885 | History to 1905 as 1160, scrapped 1907 |
| Osiris | 0-4-2T | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
710 | 1885 | Built for Suakin-Berber project but never delivered. To Royal Engineers, Chatham, transferred to RAR circa 1896. Sold to J.F Wake 1919 and sold or scrapped after 12/1927 |
| Serapis | 0-4-2T | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
711 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history same as 710; scrapped 1912. |
| Anubis | 0-4-2T | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
712 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history and disposal as 710 |
| Isis | 0-4-2T | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
713 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history as 710; precise date of disposal unrecorded but scrapped by 3/1919 |
| Apis | 0-4-2T | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
714 | 1885 | Pre-1886 history and disposal as 710 |
| Cormorant | 0-4-2T | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5058 | 1885 | Built for Suakin-Berber Campaign and never delivered. To Royal Engineers at Chatham and RAR Woolwich circa 1896. Included in auctions during 1920 and 1921 and probably scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Vulture | 0-4-2T | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5059 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history and disposal as 5058 |
| Ostrich | 0-4-2T | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5060 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history and disposal as 5058 |
| Quail | 0-4-2T | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5061 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history and disposal as 5058 |
| Flamingo | 0-4-2T | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5062 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history as 5058-61; transferred for construction work on Longmoor Military Railway 1905, withdrawn and scrapped 4/1919 |
| Owl or Pelican | 0-4-2T (improved version of 5058) | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5063 | 1885 | Supplied to Royal Engineers, Chatham as replacement for Vulcan Foundry 939 or 1075 which were considered unfit for further military reserve use. To RAR circa 1896 and disposal as 5058 |
| Owl or Pelican | 0-4-2T (as 5063) | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
5064 | 1885 | Pre-1896 history and disposal as 5063 |
Locomotive data from various sources
Rolling stock
By the 1890s, the goods rolling stock on the narrow gauge part of the RAR consisted mainly of (1) a four wheeled wagon utilising a standard wooden underframe with a cast iron double bearing assembly attached under each side to accommodate the wheelsets; and (2) a channel framed bogie wagon with cast iron bogie frames. There were at least three designs of bogie carriage in use at this time, namely the original 'knifeboard' open pattern, a closed 1st/2nd class composite with diagonal body planking and a 'curly roofed' suprintendent saloon. There were also a number of Bagnall and Fowler bogie wagons left over from the abortive Suakin-Berber campaign. By World War One, the closed seven plank bogie wagon using the type (2) chassis above was the most ubiquitous item of rolling stock and a small number of these even remained on site after the closure of the railway system. There were also seven narrow gauge passenger coaches supplied by Bristol Carriage & Wagon Co. in 1917 but these, along with all other narrow gauge passenger stock, are thought to have been disposed of in 1923.- A former explosive wagon, previously on display at North Woolwich Old Station MuseumNorth Woolwich Old Station MuseumThe North Woolwich Old Station Museum was a small railway museum in East London. It was housed in what was the original Great Eastern Railway terminal station building at North Woolwich railway station. The building was in use as a ticket office until 1979 when it was replaced by a more austere...
, is now back on the Royal Arsenal site near the Heritage Centre, standing on some ex Chatham cast track plates.
The standard gauge railway
This railway was initially linked into the national railway system, to the South Eastern RailwaySouth Eastern Railway
South Eastern Railway may refer to:* South Eastern Railway Zone * South Eastern Railway * Southeastern Railway * Southeastern Railway * South Eastern Railway -See also:* South Eastern and Chatham Railway...
, near Plumstead railway station
Plumstead railway station
Plumstead railway station serves the suburb of Plumstead, in the London Borough of Greenwich, east of Woolwich Arsenal. It is served by Southeastern....
. According to local press reports, the link was opened in 1859 and this would appear to be the date that the early plateways were replaced by more conventional permanent way. Early internal motive power appears to have been by means of horses, whilst during the period from 1871–1875, the 18 inch gauge locomotive Lord Raglan appears to have undertaken some standard gauge stock movements by means of special bufferbeams (later removed) and mixed gauge track. The first standard gauge locomotive, Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle
Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,...
0-4-0ST Driver, arrived on the Arsenal's railway system in 1875 and for the next thirteen years exclusive reliance was placed on the Leeds company's four coupled products for day-to-day working (even two out of the three experimental compressed air locomotives tested on the standard gauge line during 1880-1 were officially Manning Wardle products) until a Hawthorn Leslie incursion into the market in 1888. From this period up to 1917 the standard gauge locomotive fleet was augmented steady by second-hand acquisitions and new machines from various sources. Rolling stock by World War One consisted of such diverse items as standard goods wagons, rail ambulances and proof sleds and gun wagons requiring special heavy gauge running rails. The surviving pre-1903 standard gauge locomotives in 1919 were quickly disposed of bar one 'hulk' but overall the inter-war rationalisation was less severe than was the case with the 18 inch gauge and the passenger service was even transferred to the standard gauge in 1923. Despite the transfer of much material away from the Arsenal in the early stages of World War Two, there was a revival of fortunes during this period, with the acquisition of more steam and diesel locomotives taking place during the period from 1936-40. During the post Suez rundown, withdrawals of the steam fleet came thick and fast and there were even a few diesel replacements drafted in during the late 1950s from other Ordnance sites, but this did not delay the inevitable and the standard gauge system closed when munitions manufacture at Woolwich ceased in 1967.
Standard gauge locomotives built for use at the Arsenal
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
515 | 1875 | To Wantage Tramway 1919 possibly per J.F. Wake, scrapped 1920 owing to defective steampipe |
| Gunner | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
581 | 1876 | To J.F. Wake 1919, sold to Castner-Kellner Alkali Co. Ltd., Cheshire, scrapping date unknown |
| Pioneer | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
676 | 1878 | To Isherwood & Co. (contractor), Brentford 1920, sold or scrapped shortly after 6/1920 |
| Caesar | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
953 | 1886 | To Holloway Bros. (contractors) Winchester circa 1919, scrapping date unknown |
| Lord Napier | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
961 | 1886 | Arsenal records say scrapped 1/1916 but remains still extant 9/1947 according to Railway Observer magazine (RCTS) |
| Bombard | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 2115 | 1888 | To British Mannesmann Tube Co. Landore 1920 per Williams & Co., scrapping date unknown |
| Vulcan | 0-4-0ST | Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry Vulcan Foundry was a British locomotive builder sited at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire .-History:It was originally opened in 1832 as Charles Tayleur and Company to produce girders for bridges, switches and crossings, and other ironwork following the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway... |
1399 | 1893 | Disposal unknown, probably scrapped during First World War |
| Cyclops | 0-4-0ST | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
451 | 1895 | To Currie, Rowlands & Co., Birkenhead, 1920 per Williams & Co.. To Cudworth & Johnson Ltd., Wrexham 1947 (loaned to William Lee, Seacombe 1950-64), scrapped 6/1964 |
| Lord Kitchener | 0-4-0ST | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
1702 | 1902 | To Walter Scott & Middleton (contractors), White Nile Dam, Sudan by 9/1920. To Pauling & Co. Ltd. (Contractors), Park Royal, London by 1950 and transferred to Crymlyn Burrows Depot. Sold to Benjamin Hughes & Co. Ltd., Loughor, Glamorgan 2/1950 and scrapped 1964 |
| The Colonel | 0-4-0ST | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
1703 | 1902 | History up to and including transfer to Paulings Crymlyn Burrows Depot as Bagnall 1702. Returned to Park Royal Depot by 7/1951 and scrapped 6/1954 |
| The Master General | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1188 | 1910 | To Frank Edmunds, dealer,1922, thence to Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, Liverpool |
| George | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1281 | 1912 | To New Westbury Iron Co. Ltd. after 10/1921. To thurrock Chalk & Whiting Co. Ltd., Essex, 1939 and to T.W. Ward & Co. Ltd., Grays, for scrap 3/1966 |
| Mary | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1282 | 1912 | To Pease & Partners, Stockton, 1921 |
| Mercury | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1317 | 1914 | To Frank Edmunds 1921, thence to Glasgow Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Wishaw, Lanarks. To Pease & Partners Ltd., Normanby Ironworks, Yorks. 9/1948 |
| Mars | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1360 | 1913 | To Thomas Ward & Co. Ltd., Sheffield, circa 1921, thence to Esholt Sewage Works, Yorks. |
| Neptune | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1361 | 1913 | To New Westbury Iron Co. Ltd. 1920, sold to Finedon Ironestone Pits 1939 |
| Jupiter | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1362 | 1913 | To Thomas Ward & Co. Ltd., Sheffield, circa 1921, thence to Esholt Sewage Works, Yorks. |
| Saturn | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1371 | 1914 | To Bute Works Supply Co. Ltd., Cardiff, 1920 thence to Elba Tinplate Works, Nr. Swansea 1923; to Velindre Tinplate Works circa 1954 and scrapped circa 1958 |
| Undaunted | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3083 | 1914 | To G. Cohen, Sons & Co. Ltd., Canning Town for scrap 10/3/1954 |
| Liberty | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3089 | 1914 | Scrapped on site by W. Arnott Young & Co. Ltd. 8/1963 |
| Arethusa | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3090 | 1914 | To T. Hall & Co. (Llanshamlet), dealer, 1949, thence to Stella South Power Station, Blaydon-on-Tyne 12/1952. To Blaydon Generating Station 11/1955; scrapped 1965 |
| Laurel | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3091 | 1914 | Disposal as Hawthorn Leslie 3083 but on 16/12/1957 |
| Fearless | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3134 | 1915 | To Holland, Hannen & Cubitts Ltd. (Contractors), Kent, 1927 sold or scrapped after 1930 |
| Invincible | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3135 | 1915 | Withdrawn 1956, to RAE Farnborough 1959, now at Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, I.o.W. |
| Lennox | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3142 | 1915 | To stationary boiler use by 1959, sold to J. Hardwick, Sons & Co. Ltd., West Ewell, for scrap 10/1959 |
| Lark | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3143 | 1915 | As Hawthorn Leslie 3090 in 1949, thence to Steel Company Of Wales Ltd., Port Talbot, scrapped 1954 |
| Lance | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3155 | 1915 | To South Staffs Mond Gas Company, Dudley Port, Staffs. circa 1920. To J. Cashmore John Cashmore Ltd John Cashmore Ltd was a company based at Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales... for scrap 1952 |
| Lynx | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3156 | 1915 | To Whitwood Chemical Co. Ltd., West Yorks. circa 1920 |
| Legion | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3158 | 1916 | Disposal as Hawthorn Leslie 3089 |
| Leonidas | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3159 | 1916 | To G. Simm (Machinery) Ltd. 11/4/1949 thence to T.Hall & Co.(Llansamlet) Ltd, dealer, 1949. To Norton Hill Colliery, Somerset 1951, scrapped circa 1955 |
| Loyal | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3160 | 1916 | To J. Hardwick, Sons & Co. Ltd., West Ewell for scrap 5/1964 |
| Lucifer | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3168 | 1916 | To T. Hall & Co. (Llansamlet) Ltd. 1949 thence to NCB Graigola Fuel Works, Swansea, 1950. To Caerphilly Tar Distillation Plant 3/1959, thence to J. Pesci & Sons Ltd. for scrap circa 1961; scrapped circa 3/1963 |
| Larne | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3186 | 1916 | To J. Cashmore John Cashmore Ltd John Cashmore Ltd was a company based at Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales... , Great Bridge, Staffs for scrap 7/1959 |
| Leviathan | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3187 | 1916 | As Hawthorn Leslie 3186 but sale date 9/1961 |
| Linnett | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3196 | 1916 | As Hawthorn Leslie 3160 but sale date 10/1959 |
| Lurcher | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3198 | 1916 | To T. Hall & Co. (Llansamlet) Ltd. 1949, thence to Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd., Newcastle 5/1953 and scrapped 1966 |
| Cynthia | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3204 | 1916 | To Dowlow Lime & Stone Co. Ltd., Buxton, Derbyshire, 1921 |
| Cleopatra | 0-4-0ST | Hawthorn Leslie | 3205 | 1916 | To J. Lyons & Co. Ltd., Greenford, Middlesex 1921 |
| Lion | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1351 | 1914 | To T. Hall & Co. (Llansamlet) Ltd. 1949, thence to Wallend Slipway & Engineering Co. Ltd., Northumberland 3/1950. To Chasewater Railway, Staffs 10/1974, thence to Foxfield Railway 1/1975 and currently at Lincolnshire Wolds Railway |
| Tiger | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1352 | 1914 | To Woodham Bros., Barry Dock, Glamorgan for scrap, 7/1963 |
| Africa | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1414 | 1916 | Disposal as Hawthorn Leslie 3186 |
| Australia | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1427 | 1916 | Disposal as Peckett 1352 |
| Canada | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1441 | 1916 | To H. Bean, Gillingham, Kent for scrap 5/1964, sold on to Lacmonts Ltd., Sheerness and scrapped 6/1964 |
| New Zealand | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1464 | 1917 | Sold or scrapped by 1951 |
| Valiant | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1490 | 1917 | Disposal as for Andrew Barclay 1188 |
| Vanguard | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1491 | 1917 | To Brereton Collieries Ltd., Staffordshire, 1920, thence to Rawnsley Shed 8/1959. To Hamstead Colliey, Staffordshire 1/1961 and scrapped 11/1962 |
| Vengeance | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1492 | 1917 | To Salt Union Ltd., Worcestershire, 1923 |
| Venerable | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1493 | 1917 | To C.D. Phillips Ltd., dealer, Newport, Monmouthshire, 1923, thence to Trafford Park Estates Ltd., Manchester |
| Haig | 0-4-0ST | Bagnall Bagnall Bagnall could be:*Bagnall, Staffordshire*Anthony Bagnall, a senior Royal Air Force commander*Drew Bagnall, Canadian ice hockey player*Geoff Bagnall, Australian rugby league footballer*Gibbons Bagnall... |
2606 | 1939 | To Coltness Iron Co. Ltd., Newmains, Lanarks., 10/1957, scrapped circa 9/1963 |
| Beatty | 0-4-0ST | Hudswell Clarke Hudswell Clarke Hudswell, Clarke and Company Limited was an engineering and locomotive building company in Jack Lane, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-History:... |
1696 | 1939 | Withdrawn by 1956, to E.L. Pitt Ltd., Brackley, Northants., dealer, to Oxfordshire Ironstone Co. Ltd., Banbury, Oxfordshire, 1/1958 to G. Cohen & Co. Ltd. for scrap 6/1965 |
| French | 0-4-0ST | Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn | 6976 | 1939 | Disposal as Hawthorn Leslie 3186 |
| Marlborough | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 2081 | 1940 | To ROF Chorley, Lancashire, 6/1941 |
| Wellington | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 2082 | 1940 | Disposal as Andrew Barclay 2081 |
| Roberts | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 2083 | 1940 | Disposal as Andrew Barclay 2081 but date unknown |
| Fisher | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 2085 | 1940 | Disposal as Andrew Barclay 2081 but date of transfer 18/12/1940 |
| Kitchener | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1872 | 1940 | Disposal as Hawthorn Leslie 3186 but sale date 8/1959 |
| Allenby | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1978 | 1940 | To E.L. Pitt & Co., Brackley, Northants., dealers, 8/1959 scrapped shortly afterwards |
| Jellicoe | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1979 | 1940 | Disposal as Peckett 1872 |
| Byng | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1983 | 1940 | Disposal as Peckett 1872 but sale date 9/1961 |
| Horne | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1984 | 1940 | Loaned to RAE Farnborough 3/1957-10/7/1959; final disposal as Peckett 1983 |
| Alexander | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1985 | 1940 | To APCM, Kent Works, Stone, Kent circa 1949, sold for scrap 1967 |
| Sturdee | 0-4-0ST | Peckett | 1986 | 1940 | Disposal as Peckett 1983 |
| 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Hunslet Hunslet Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co... |
1847 | 1936 | To ROF Wilford, Notts. Sold to Birds Commercial Motors Ltd., Long Marston, Warwicks. by 1969 | |
| George | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Andrew Barclay | 324 | 1937 | To ROF, Crossgates, Leeds, 12/1966 |
| Elizabeth | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Andrew Barclay | 325 | 1937 | To WD Bicester, Oxfordshire, 6/1967 |
| Kent | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Andrew Barclay | 331 | 1938 | To ROF Dunham Hill, Cheshire, 2/1953 |
| Essex | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Andrew Barclay | 332 | 1938 | Disposal as 325 |
Standard gauge locomotives intended for the abortive Suakin Campaign of 1885
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
937 | 1885 | Stored on Plumstead Marshes 1885 -(?) thence to Chattenden & Upnor Railway where named Vauban. To RAR circa 1903 and transferred to Army at Slough 8/1918 |
| Kimberley | 0-6-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
949 | 1885 | Stored on Plumstead Marshes 1885 -(?) thence to Chattenden & Upnor Railway where named Burgoyne. To RAR circa 1903 and sold to J.F. Wake 11/1919. Scrapped after 7/6/1925 |
| Lord Roberts | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
962 | 1885 | Stored on Plumstead Marshes 1885 -(?) thence to Chattenden & Upnor Railway. To RAR circa 1903 and scrapped 1/1916 |
| John Bull | 0-6-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
969 | 1885 | Delivered too late for shipment to Suakin-Berber Railway campaign and in service on the military railway at Shoeburyness by 1894 after storage on Plumstead Marshes. Extensively repaired using maker's components in 1911, having passed to the Arsenal by this stage and sold or scrapped during or just after 1919 |
| Lord Howe | 0-6-0ST, later 0-4-2ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
970 | 1885 | Probably entered initial service at the Arsenal circa 1891 as delivered after abandonment of Suakin-Berber Railway project. Rebuilt to 0-4-2ST in 1893 using maker's components and believed scrapped in 1908 |
Standard gauge locomotives transferred from other military or ordnance establishments
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hercules | 0-6-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
812 | 1881 | Supplied to Lucas & Aird and sold to War Department in 1885 for Chattenden & Upnor Railway. To RAR circa 1903. Final disposal as Manning Wardle 949 |
| Nicholson | 0-6-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
847 | 1882 | Supplied new to Lucas & Aird, Cudworth, Yorks., thence to War Department, Shoeburyness and transferred to RAR circa 1903. Scrapped 1/1916 |
| School of Gunnery | 0-4-0ST | Neilson Reid | 5936 | 1902 | New to War Dept., Shoeburyness, loaned to RAR circa 1912 and returned to Shoeburyness in 1920. Sold or scrapped by 1946 |
| Leeds | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
22751 | 1939 | New to ROF Crossgates, Leeds and transferred at unknown date. Returned to ROF Crossgates circa 1949 |
| Anne formerlyGlascoed No.2 | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
22916 | 1940 | Ex-ROF Glascoed 1958, to ROF King's Meadow, Notts. circa 1966. Scrapped in 1973 |
| Charles formerly Glascoed No.3 | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
22986 | 1940 | Ex-ROF Glascoed circa 1959, to F. Watkins (Engineers) Ltd., Coleford, Glos. by 4/1965 |
| Phillip | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Hunslet Hunslet Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co... |
2373 | 1941 | Ex-ROF Irvine, Ayrshire 22/3/1959, to War Department Bicester, Oxfordshire 30/5/1961 |
| Margaret | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
22059 | 1937 | Ex-ROF Irvine, Ayrshire 13/6/1959, to War Department Bicester, Oxfordshire 30/5/1961 |
| No.1 | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | Hunslet Hunslet Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co... |
1840 | 1936 | Ex-ROF Irvine, Ayrshire 23/11/1959, to War Department Bicester, Oxfordshire 30/5/1961 |
| No.2 | 0-4-0 Diesel Mechanical | John Fowler & Co. John Fowler & Co. thumb|right|John Fowler & Co. [[steam roller]] of 1923John Fowler & Co Engineers of Leathley Road, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England produced traction engines and ploughing implements and equipment, as well as railway equipment. Fowler also produced the Track Marshall tractor which was a... |
22058 | 1937 | Ex-ROF Irvine, Ayrshire 28/10/1959, to War Department Bicester, Oxfordshire 30/5/1961 |
Standard gauge locomotives purchased from private sources
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olaf | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
650 | 1877 | Supplied to Lucas & Aird Ltd., Bromley and eventually purchased by the Arsenal circa 1900, scrapped 5/1917 |
| Lord Nelson | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
706 | 1878 | Supplied new to McGregor & Badman (Contractors) Heaton Mersey (Midland Railway) under the name Sissy and eventually acquired by the Arsenal circa 1900. Sold to William Cory & Son, Essex circa 1919, thence to Rainham Rubbish Shoot and scrapped 1933 |
| Ladysmith | 0-4-0ST | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
795 | 1882 | New to J. Aird & Sons Ltd., Shustoke Reservoir contract (1882-3), Whiteacre Warwicks. and probably acquired by the Arsenal circa 1903. Scrapped during World War One |
| Bedenham No.4 | 0-4-0ST | Andrew Barclay | 1568 | 1917 | Supplied new to Admiraly, Bedenham, Hampshire and to RAR via G. Cohen Sons & Co. Ltd. 1939. Sold or scrapped during or shortly after 1949 |
| 0-4-0ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
4227 | 1929 | Ex-Kingsnorth Light Railway, Kent 1939, to Aberthaw & Bristol Channel Portland Cement Co. Ltd., Rhoose, Glamorgan by 1949. To Aberthaw Cement Works circa 1953 and scrapped circa 1954 | |
| L.N.E.R. No.984 (LNER Class Y7) | 0-4-0T | Darlington Works Darlington Works Darlington railway works, known in the town as North Road Shops, was built in 1863 by the Stockton and Darlington Railway in the town of Darlington in the north east of England.-NER History:The first new locomotive was built at the works in 1864... |
1204 | 1923 | Purchased October 1939, to ROF Cardonald, Lanarkshire circa 1950, scrapped circa 1955. A sister locomotive is preserved as L.N.E.R. No.985 |
Standard gauge locomotives hired from main line companies during World War One
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.E.R. No. 0228 (GER class 209 GER Class 209 The GER Class 209 was a class of 0-4-0 saddle tank steam locomotives of the Great Eastern Railway. These locomotives were similar to the NBR G Class but had flat-topped, instead of round-topped, tanks... later LNER Class Y5) |
0-4-0ST | Neilson & Co. | 2118 | 1876 | Hired 1/1916, returned to G.E.R. 7/1918, scrapped as L.N.E.R. 07228 in 1927. A sister locomotive is preserved as G.E.R. 229 |
| N.E.R. No. 559 (NER Class K NER Class K The North Eastern Railway Class K classified as Class Y8 by the London and North Eastern Railway is a class of 0-4-0T steam locomotives designed for shunting. It was designed by Thomas W. Worsdell and five of these tiny engines were built in 1890... later LNER Class Y8) |
0-4-0T | NER Gateshead Works | 14 (Allotted Annually) | 1890 | Hired 11/1915, transferred to Slough 10/1918, returned to N.E.R., to L.N.E.R. 1923 and hired to Spurn Head Military Railway 1940-1, renumbered 8090 in 1946 and scrapped at Darlington by B.R. in 11/1948 |
| N.E.R. No. 587 (NER Class H NER Class H The North Eastern Railway Class H, classified as Class Y7 by the London and North Eastern Railway is a class of 0-4-0T steam locomotives designed for shunting.-Description:... later LNER Class Y7) |
0-4-0T | NER Gateshead Works | 39 (Allotted Annually) | 1888 | Hired 11/1915, returned to N.E.R. 11/1918, sold by L.N.E.R. to Choppington Colliery 2/1931 and scrapped in 1950 |
| N.E.R. No. 898 (NER Class H NER Class H The North Eastern Railway Class H, classified as Class Y7 by the London and North Eastern Railway is a class of 0-4-0T steam locomotives designed for shunting.-Description:... later LNER Class Y7) |
0-4-0T | NER Gateshead Works | 34 (Allotted Annually) | 1888 | Hired 11/1915, returned to N.E.R. 1/1919, sold by L.N.E.R. to Ord & Maddison, Middleton-in-Teesdale 9/1929 and scrapped in 1952. A sister locomotive to N.E.R. No.s 559, 587 and 898 is preserved as N.E.R. no. 1310 |
Experimental standard gauge compressed air locomotives tested within the Arsenal
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4-0 | Greenwood & Batley Greenwood & Batley Greenwood & Batley were a large engineering manufacturer with a wide range of products, including armaments, electrical engineering, and printing and milling machinery. They also produced a range of battery-electric railway locomotives under the brand name Greenbat... |
1880 | Four cylinder locomotive supplied to Lt. Col. F.E. Beaumont's company and illustrated in the 1881 Royal Society of Arts paper of March 1881. Cylinder volumes in ratio 1:3:9:27. Final disposal unknown | ||
| 0-4-0 (the "The Dartford Chronicle" suggested 0-6-0) | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
761 | 1880 | Tested for approximately two months within the Arsenal prior to a run from the Arsenal to Dartford for publicity purposes in May 1880 (covered in "The Dartford Chronicle" and "The Times"). This six cylinder machine was probably a test bed for Beaumont's Channel Tunnel ambitions of the period. Its final disposal is unknown | |
| 0-4-0 | Manning Wardle Manning Wardle Manning Wardle was a steam locomotive manufacturer based in Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.- Precursor companies :The city of Leeds was one of the earliest centres of locomotive building; Matthew Murray built the first commercially successful steam locomotive, Salamanca, in Holbeck, Leeds,... |
762 | 1880 | This was a four cylinder locomotive constructed to test tramway theory and it was initially tested on the Leeds Tramway Co.'s system and shunting at Victoria Docks before spending much of 1881 at the Arsenal. By 6 May 1882 (according to "The New York Times" of 16 June 1882) the engine was undergoing trials on the New York Elevated Railway, but compressed air traction was not adopted on this system and there is apparently no further trace of the locomotive | |
Miscellaneous 23.5 inches (597 mm) gauge railway activity in the Arsenal
According to MED records two 1 ft. 11.5 in. (nominal 2 ft.) gauge locomotives were obtained for 'special work in the Marsh area'. Their known details are as below:| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tattoo | 0-4-2ST | Kerr Stuart Kerr Stuart Kerr, Stuart and Company Ltd was a locomotive manufacturer from Stoke-on-Trent, England.-History:It was founded in 1881 by James Kerr as James Kerr & Company, and became Kerr, Stuart & Company from 1883 when John Stuart was taken on as a partner... |
1291 | 1915 | Purchased new: to Army Depot, Slough year ended 3/1919 |
| Norwich | 0-4-0WT(?) | (?) | (?) | (?) | Purchased 1915: to Army Depot, Slough year ended 3/1919 |
During World War Two, two Diesel locomotives of the same gauge were obtained, although the reason for their purchase is unknown:
| Name | Type | Builder | Works number | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4w Diesel Mechanical | Hibberd Hibberd Hibberd may refer to:people:*Dominic Hibberd, English biographer*George Hibberd , English cricketer*Jack Hibberd , Australian playwright*James Hibberd , English cricketer*Julian Hibberd, British plant scientist... |
2232 | 1940 | Purchased new, disposal unknown | |
| 4w Diesel Mechanical | Hibberd Hibberd Hibberd may refer to:people:*Dominic Hibberd, English biographer*George Hibberd , English cricketer*Jack Hibberd , Australian playwright*James Hibberd , English cricketer*Julian Hibberd, British plant scientist... |
2233 | 1940 | Purchased new, disposal unknown | |
See also
- British industrial narrow gauge railwaysBritish industrial narrow gauge railwaysBritish industrial narrow gauge railways are narrow gauge railways in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man that were primarily built to serve one or more industries. Some offered passenger services for employees or workmen, but they did not run public passenger trains...
- British narrow gauge railwaysBritish narrow gauge railwaysThere were more than a thousand British narrow gauge railways ranging from large, historically significant common carriers to small, short-lived industrial railways...
- DecauvilleDecauvilleThe Decauville manufacturing company was founded by Paul Decauville , a French pioneer in industrial railways. Decauville's major innovation was the use of ready-made sections of light, narrow gauge track fastened to steel sleepers; this track was portable and could be disassembled and transported...
- Minimum gauge railwayMinimum gauge railwayMinimum gauge railways have a gauge of less than or , most commonly , , or . The notion of minimum gauge railways was originally developed by estate railways and by the French company of Decauville for industrial railways....
- Royal ArsenalRoyal ArsenalThe Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...