The news on this website that National Army Museum owned Hunslet 'Austerity' 0-6-0ST No.WD92 'Waggoner' had been relocated to the Isle of Wight prompted these recollections of both her and sister locomotive No.WD198 'Royal Engineer' in military service during the 1970's and 80's from Andy Crespin, a former Army Railway engineer now living in New Zealand:

"I have just heard about my old loco, WD92 'Waggoner' going to it's new home at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and had a look at your website for more news. Your very interesting account of the locomotive's history brought back many memories of both 'Waggoner' and WD198 'Royal Engineer', also now at Havenstreet and which I worked on whilst it was based at Long Marston. I have fond memories of some of the guys I used to work with and that are also mentioned in your account.

I joined the Army Railway in 1973, at Marchwood, Southampton, just after No.92 had been moved there. I had finished my apprenticeship as a fitter/turner, in the nearby shipyard, and having been a steam enthusiast since my early childhood I decided to see if I could get a job as a driver or shunter at the Military Port. As it happened they had a vacancy and I was taken on as a shunter. I soon passed my tests and ended up driving the diesels and was made responsible for looking after 'Waggoner'. This included passing the steam drivers test, doing all routine maintenance/washouts, stripping for boiler exams etc. I was also sent on a steam crane drivers course at Shoeburyness, where I first met Roy Barker and Jimmy Heath.

Andy Crespin on the footplate of WD198 'Royal Engineer' at Long Marston in 1987.

We used to steam 'Waggoner' every month in the summers, and also for 'Open Days' and General's visits, etc. It was quite a good feeling, knowing that I was Southampton's last professional Steam Driver! It was during one of the Open Days that my good friend Barry Eagles made a cine film of a footplate trip around the port, that film was used on a Video made about the Port, around 10 years ago. It is a rather young me, who is driving No.92. I have a whole load of slides that I took at Marchwood during the 70's, having smuggled in my little 'instamatic' camera. I must get around to putting them on a CD. By the way, my brother is now the Railway Superintendent there. Around this time, I also joined the Mid Hants Railway and ended up a driver there, but that is another story!

During the 1970's Roy Barker, who is mentioned in your history of No.92, used to come to Marchwood on relief work, and we often worked the loco together, taking turns at driving and firing. He became a great friend. In 1980, I left the Army Department, and went to work on Garratts in Zimbabwe. I returned to UK in 1984 and ended up with the Army Railway again, but this time as a travelling diesel fitter based at Marchwood.

My new job took me to Long Marston, where I became acquainted with WD98 'Royal Engineer' and ended up being her regular driver! It was Jimmy Heath and myself who carried out the last boiler overhaul in Army ownership in 1988 - I also renumbered her back to WD198. There is still an engraved plaque on the cab backplate commemorating the overhaul and her return to service.

After 'Waggoner' had been moved to the Museum of Army Transport in Beverley I made a trip up there to keep an eye on things and check her and the other Army locomotives over as is recorded in the locomotive's history. I think I went with Roy Barker and George Church, but can't be sure. Happy days they were. Sadly Roy Barker died a few years back, and I don't know what has happened to Jimmy Heath or George Church.

'Waggoner' in steam at Marchwood Military Port with Andy Crespin on the footplate. The green livery dates this picture as pre 1978.

I have to say that I am a great fan of the Austerity Tanks. Easy to work on, and in the field no need for a pit. Leaking drain cocks are a pain, but taking the springs out helps - this was done to both No.92 and No.198. I much prefer the Army green livery and was not too pleased when 'someone' decided to paint 'Waggoner' blue, which was done at Marchwood in 78/79.

The original Hunslet 'hooter' did not work too well on 'Waggoner', so I fitted a standard Andrew Barclay 'hooter', to her instead. This in fact had come off of a WW2 Diesel Shunter. When I drove No.198 I always fitted my Rhodesian Chime whistle, but her original 'hooter' was good. The side play in her axle boxes, which I know has been much reduced for work on the IWSR, made her ideal for going around the sharp curves on the Long Marston system.

At the 1987 Long Marston Open Day we had a 10-coach special arrive from the main line. We had 5 of our own coaches behind No.198 as a service train all day, and when it was time for the special to leave I had the 10 + 5 fully laden coaches on the back. Take into account the sharp curves, and I reckon it was equivalent to a 20-coach train. I started it without a trace of slip, only had her in first valve, and in second notch...... That opened the eyes of all the enthusiasts who said we'd never move it!

WD198 'Royal Engineer' at Wootton on 3rd April 2005.

I'm not surprised to hear that 'Waggoner' is in such good condition. I remember that in 1974 I worked out the steaming hours for her from the loco logbook, and it came to less than 5000 hours since she had been built! I don't think she has ever had a full mechanical overhaul, she hasn't done enough work to need one!

Waggoner was a big part of my life in the 70's, especially as my brother was then a shunter at Marchwood, and worked with me many times - Now he is the boss! I am pleased to hear that she will soon be working again (Not so pleased about the air braking though!) My last visit to Havenstreet would be over 15 years ago now, I know then that I was impressed with what I saw. You have a nice set up.

I now live in New Zealand, and work for the Railway here as an engineer looking after and maintaining the Electric Units out of Wellington. I live outside of the Capital, and the main line runs right past my back fence. Every now and then a steam special runs past. I am also a member of a small preservation society, and keep my hand in every now and then, driving or firing. I have here in my collection a builders plate from WD 202, which was scrapped at Shoeburyness, a regulator handle ex WD182, and the gauge lamp from the same loco, so not totally devoid of my beloved Austerities!"

'Waggoner' at Havenstreet - February 2005.

For historical details of WD92 'Waggoner and WD198 'Royal Engineer' visit the Locomotives page. For the story of 'Waggoner's arrival at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway see the Latest News Index.

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