'Ajax' moves off shed - Easter Monday

All IWSR trains over the Easter Holiday were powered by 1918-built Barclay 0-6-0T W38 'Ajax'. Following a varied career in industrial service, including a period in Iraq after requisition by the Ministry of Munitions, 'Ajax' was purchased by Mr Henry Frampton-Jones and placed on loan to the IWSR during 1972. 'Ajax' languished in the sidings at Havenstreet and Wootton for over twenty years before restoration commenced. Following the construction and fitting of a new inner firebox and front tubeplate the boiler was steam tested during December 2003. 'Ajax' hauled it's first IWSR passenger trains during 2005 when a number of running-in problems were identified and subsequently rectified culminating in the locomotives first sustained period of passenger train service during April 2006.

Departing for Smallbrook Junction.

The IWSR currently has three operational steam locomotives: No.W38 'Ajax', A1x 'Terrier' Class No.W8 'Freshwater' and Hawthorn-Leslie 0-4-0ST No.W37 'Invincible'. It is expected that the working fleet will be joined by 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST No.WD192 'Waggoner' in the very near future. All of the IWSR's operational steam and diesel locomotives will be hauling passenger and goods trains during the 'Works Outing' event during the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend - for more details see the Special Events pages.

Leaving the headshunt at Smallbrook.

'Ajax' returns to Havenstreet.

Above and below - pulling away from Havenstreet.

Running round at Wootton.

Arriving back at Havenstreet.

Back on Shed - Paul Beale attends to the smokebox whilst Driver Dave Smith watches Mike Brittain refill the bunker.

The days work is over.

For more information on the repair, maintenance, restoration and operation of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic locomotive and carriage fleet visit Mechanical Times, the monthly on-line newsletter of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

Full details of the history of W38 'Ajax' and the other members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's locomotive fleet can be found on the Locomotive pages.