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Locomotives - Operational Locos - Locos under overhaul - Locos on static display - Locos formerly based on the Bluebell Loco Roster - Loco Stock List - Loco Works News - Join the Loco Dept Southern Railway "USA" class No. 30064This locomotive is no longer based on or owned by the Bluebell Railway.
Photo courtesy of Lewis Nodes, from 1976. Originally designed by the United States Army Transportation Corps, this locomotive provides an interesting contrast with the rest of the fleet as an example of North American engineering practice with the principal feature being cast steel bar main-frames. One of a large batch of shunting locos intended to operate Europe's railways after the Allied invasion (together with British-designed Austerity locos), it was one of those found not to be needed abroad and remained in Britain. They were delivered in black livery with USATC lettering, but a photo of the loco at Newbury Racecourse, dated 15 March 1947, shows it in grey livery as WD 1959. Although they were very successful in service, the steel fireboxes deteriorated rapidly, largely due to the untreated local water supply resulting in a number of locos being out of service or restricted during 1951. The fireboxes were replaced and they all continued in service. To enable their more efficient use in the docks area, some of the class were fitted with radio telephones, turbo generators and aerials from 1957. Following the introduction of class 07 diesel shunters at Southampton in 1962, one was withdrawn, six were transferred to departmental service while the remainder were used as shed pilots (loco-shed shunters). Return to BRPS Home Page, to the Timetable or to Special Events Locos Intro - Operational Locos - Locos under overhaul - Locos on static display - Locos formerly based on the Bluebell Loco Roster - Loco Stock List - Loco Works News - Join the Loco Dept Visitor Info. - Museum - Trust - Catering - Contacts - What's New - Projects - Locos - Carriages & Wagons - Signals - History - Other - Links - Search - FAQ Why not become a BRPS Member? - Get more involved as a Volunteer Text © Martin Skrzetuszewski and Richard Salmon Last updated 6 January 2016 by Nick Beck and by Richard Salmon, 9 August 2022 © Copyright BRPS. Privacy Policy |