Well, not quite, but we are launching two steam locomotives into traffic on the same day! W38 'Ajax' and WD192 'Waggoner' will both be formally accepted into Isle of Wight Steam Railway service in a ceremony at Havenstreet Station on Saturday 27th May at 12pm as part of the railway's 'Works Outing' event.

Barclay 0-6-0T 'Ajax' was built in 1918 for the Sulphide Corporation of London. Acquired by the Ministry of Munitions for service in Persia, and passed to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. Upon return to the UK it worked at the Stanton Iron Works near Sheffield, and finally went to the British Steel Corporation's Harlaxton Ironstone Quarries in Northamptonshire from where it was withdrawn in 1968. 'Ajax' was purchased by Henry Frampton-Jones who agreed to move her to the recently opened Isle of Wight Steam Railway in 1972. Following many years of storage 'Ajax' steamed for the first time in preservation during December 2003 and hauled her first passenger train during 2005. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway now owns the locomotive.

'Ajax' is being dedicated to the memory of Chris 'Andy' Anderton, a railway volunteer for many years who sadly died in 2003. Andy was a well known and popular character at Havenstreet and was one of the railway's senior Drivers. 'Ajax' now carries a South African chime whistle which Andy left to the railway. A brass plate to his memory will be affixed in the cab of the locomotive on the driver's side and it is hoped that Andy's widow, Nella, will be present at the ceremony.

'Ajax' at Havenstreet earlier this year. More pictures of 'Ajax' in action can be seen Here.

WD192 'Waggoner' is a Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST, built for the War Office in 1953 and beginning her military service on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire. In 1973 'Waggoner' was transferred to Marchwood, Southampton where she was employed on the military port's internal rail system.. Overhauled at Shoeburyness in 1979, she was then placed on static display at the Museum of Army Transport, Beverley, Yorkshire until it's closure in 2003.

'Waggoner' shortly after arriving at Havenstreet.

'Waggoner' was transferred to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in 2005, joining sister locomotive WD 198 'Royal Engineer'. 'Waggoner' is now fully restored to working order and has been fitted with Westinghouse air brake equipment , enabling her to be used to haul the railway's passenger trains. Both WD192 and WD198 are on loan from the National Army Museum. Representatives of the Museum and the former Army Railway Organization will be present for the occasion.

'Waggoner' in steam at Marchwood Military Port. The green livery dates this picture as pre 1978.

Detailed histories of both engines can be found on the Locomotives page. 'The Austerities in Army Service', an article by former Army Railway Organization Driver Andy Crespin, can be seen on the Latest News pages.