Built to the order of the Sulphide Corporation of London in 1918, 'Ajax' was requisitioned on completion by the Ministry of Munitions and sent to Persia where she remained for many years, latterly in the service of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. It is uncertain exactly when 'Ajax' returned to the UK but she was recorded as working at Llandarcy Refinery, near Swansea and later at the Stanton Iron Works, Sheffield. She finished her industrial service at Harlaxton Ironstone Quarries, near Grantham, being withdrawn in 1968. 'Ajax' was purchased by Mr Henry Frampton-Jones who placed her on loan to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in 1972. No major restoration work was carried out for over twenty years but, following agreement regarding her future use, repairs are now underway. The majority of the work required is being undertaken by the works staff at Havenstreet and, in January 2002, the boiler was dispatched to South Wales for contract repair, including the fitting on a new, all steel, inner firebox. The boiler was steam tested at Havenstreet on 1st December 2003. Following this successful test the superstructure was extensively rebuilt and a series of test steamings commenced in October 2004. 'Ajax' hauled it's first public passenger train during the summer of 2005 and can now be seen in regular service hauling Isle of Wight Steam Railway trains.
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Awaiting restoration
- 1988.
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'Ajax' accompanies WD
192 'Waggoner' at Smallbrook Junction - May 2006.
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