Mystery Locomotive

[vox]

I came across this whilst looking for something else.

I thought it sounded like it may interest you "train fans."

(The "mystery locomotive at Preston Docks" (see page 80 of RECORD 25) appears to have been something of a mystery to Thos W. Ward Ltd also! In the "Charlton Works Machinery Stock Book" for acquisitions during the period 1916 to 1920, the builder is not recorded — and this is most unusual. Booked into Charlton Works stock in May 1920 under Con. No.31190 it is shown as 'Ex Preston Depot" and "Not to be sold". It is recorded as having inside cylinders 9in x 15in, 2ft 7in wheels with 1½in tyres. 4ft 6in wheelbase, copper firebox and steel tubes, dummy buffers, whole cab with four spectacle glasses, handbrake and four [brake] blocks, side coal bunkers, 15ft 6in overall length and 6ft 9in width. Only two hirings are shown – 13th March 1924 to 30th April 1924 (Kilner Bros. Conisbro – £7 per week) and 3rd June 1924 to 13th September 1924 (John Baker & Co (Rotherham) Ltd – £10 per week). The last ledger entry refers to the 1928 stocktaking when the locomotive was valued at £375 and still regarded as Preston plant. It appears to have been advertised for sale at Charlton Works, Sheffield, until 1932 at least, and is then understood to have gone back to Preston, Normally the ledger mentions sale or scrapping details, but in this instance is silent. Does any reader know the period when this locomotive was at Preston and when it was finally scrapped? – KPP)

Source - www.irsociety.co.uk