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U. S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine No. 1940 in its black War Department livery, 1942
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U. S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine No. 1940 in its black War Department livery, 1942
This is an unusual inclusion in the photographic collection at STEAM, being an image of a U.S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine which never actually worked the Great Western network. Nevertheless, this class of engine is still worth a mention as part of the Great Western war story. 382 of these Class S100 engines were shipped over to Britain from America with the intention of them operating on the railways of Europe after D Day. They arrived at the Great Westerns Newport Docks from July 1942 from where they were towed to GW sheds where their final assembly was completed and they were run in and steam tested. Whilst the majority of the U.S. 0-6-0s then continued on their journey to Europe, some were temporarily put to use as shunting engines at various GW locomotive depots and 42 were put into storage at the Companys Newbury Racecourse Station where they remained, unused, until 14 were acquired by the Southern Railway after the war. This image shows the rather dusty engine No. 1940 in its black War Department livery
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Media ID 19938901
1940 Livery World War 2 Newbury War Department
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from the STEAM Museum of the GWR showcases a unique piece of history - the U. S. 0-6-0T shunting tank engine No. 1940 in its striking black War Department livery, taken in 1942. Although this particular engine never operated on the Great Western network, it still holds significance as part of the Great Western war story. During World War II, a total of 382 Class S100 engines were shipped from America to Britain with plans for them to be used on European railways after D Day. Arriving at Newport Docks in July 1942, these engines were then transported to GW sheds where they underwent final assembly and steam testing. While most of these U. S. 0-6-0s continued their journey to Europe, some were temporarily employed as shunting engines at various GW locomotive depots. Additionally, an interesting twist occurred when 42 engines found themselves stored at the Company's Newbury Racecourse Station until after the war. The image captures engine No. 1940 covered in a layer of dust but exuding an undeniable charm in its black War Department livery. It serves as a reminder not only of wartime efforts and international cooperation but also highlights how even amidst chaos and uncertainty, railway history continues to unfold with unexpected twists and turns.
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