HUNSLET
AUSTERITY 0-6-0ST No. WD198
'ROYAL ENGINEER'
Built for the Ministry of Defence in
1953, WD198 did not enter service until 1956 at the General Stores Sub-Depot
at Steventon, moving to Central Ordnance Depot, Bicester in 1958 and finally
to HQ Engineer Resources at Long Marston in 1961. Following a long period in
store she was restored to working order and given the name 'Royal Engineer'
in 1971. A further overhaul followed in 1987/88 and, when withdrawn from service
in 1991, she was the last operational steam locomotive owned by the Army. 'Royal
Engineer' was part of a collection of railway items acquired by the Royal Corps
of Transport Museum Trust for eventual display at a new museum under development
at Chatham. As an interim measure 'Royal Engineer' was placed on loan to the
Isle of Wight Steam Railway and, following the fitting of Westinghouse air brake
equipment, was put to work on passenger services. In 2001 direct responsibility
for the care of the locomotive passed to the National Army Museum who confirmed
the loan agreement. WD198 can be seen at Havenstreet alongside sister engine
Army No.92 'Waggoner', which arrived on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in February
2005. In May 2008 the National Army Museum transferred the ownership of both
Army locomotives to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
Page last modified
04/06/08.
© Isle of
Wight Railway Company Limited 2006.