Many steam locomotives were given second lives in industrial and heritage railway service but seldom did this happen on the main line network. EVAN GREEN-HUGHES takes a look at the Beattie well tanks, which first escaped the scrapman 116 years ago!
There are many remarkable stories of how locomotives restored today came to be saved. Some were placed on plinths as museum pieces, some were tucked away at the back of the major works while others rotted away for years at scrapyards. However, a handful of one remarkable class managed to find a second use which would extend their life for almost 70 years – long enough for two of them subsequently to pass into preservation.
The London and South Western Railway’s '0298' 2-4-0WTs were constructed between 1863 and 1875 for use on suburban services around London. The 85 strong class was the product of a decision by the LSWR board to operate its suburban services with small tank locomotives.
