W G Bagnall ‘Vulcan’ No 401
Photos by Will Smith. Click image to view captions.
W G Bagnall Works No 2994 Vulcan No 401 0-6-0ST
Built in 1951, it features relatively modern technology not found on many earlier steam locomotive designs, such as roller bearings, Walschaerts valve gear and a rocking grate.
Originally built for the Steel Company of Wales, it was competing with diesel shunters. Comparisons with diesels and the capability of the locomotives in industrial service were favourable – but ultimately was replaced by the more low maintenance modern diesel equivalents.
It was subsequently sold to Austin’s Longbridge Works where it was used until the West Somerset Railway purchased it in 1973 for preservation.
In 1986 it was purchased to work on the Stephenson Railway Museum – it’s home base today.
The Yorkshire Dales Railway Museum Trust hired the locomotive in 2022.
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Steam: Operational fleet
Steam: Pending restoration
Steam: Since departed
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