GWR No. 12

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)Driver dia.2 ft 6 in (0.76 m)Loco weight20 tons 17 cwtFuel typecoalBoiler pressure275 psi (1.90 MPa)
water tube boilerCylinderstwoCylinder size6+3⁄4 in × 9 in (170 mm × 230 mm)

Career
Operators	GWR
Retired	1958
Disposition	Preserved

GWR No. 12 is a Sentinel geared steam locomotive which was built for the Great Western Railway and delivered in 1926. Its Sentinel works number is 6515.^[1] It was equipped to work train vacuum brakes and to provide steam heat for passenger trains. Initially, it was based at Swindon and used to work trains on the Malmesbury branch. Later, it worked at Brentford Goods Yard. These trials were not a great success and the locomotive was withdrawn in December 1926 and returned to Sentinel in January 1927.^[2]

Rebuilding

The locomotive was rebuilt by Sentinel with a larger boiler in 1927. It then underwent further trials as follows:

• 1927, Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway
• 1927, Further trials on the GWR
• 1927–1929, Works shunter for Sentinel at Shrewsbury
• 1929, Trial on the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) at Shrewsbury
• 1929–1934, Works shunter for Sentinel at Shrewsbury again
• 1934, Sold to Thomas E. Grey Ltd, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Here, it was given the number 2 and the name Isebrook.^[2]

Withdrawal

In 1958, the locomotive was withdrawn. The boiler and parts of the engine were removed and it was used as a brake van. In 1972, it was condemned and was then bought for preservation and moved to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton.^[2]

Restoration

Restoration took seven years and included fitting a reconditioned boiler and engine. The engine was first steamed in preservation on 26 August 1979. In 1981, vacuum brake equipment was refitted for passenger train working.^[2]

Visits

The locomotive has visited other sites since restoration. In May 2001, it moved to Rosemary Vineyards on the Isle of Wight, and then on to the Lavender Line. In June 2008, it returned to Quainton. Since July 2012, it has been working on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway, where it is expected to stay until September 2012.^[2] On 15/16 September 2012 it will make a brief visit to Didcot Railway Centre for the "All in a Day's Work" steam gala.^[1] In September 2019 the locomotive visited Cholsey & Wallingford Railway for the Sentinel Gala. ^[3]

References