William Bagnall 0-4-0 ST works number 2648 of 1941

Principal Dimensions:

Outside Cylinders - 14 1/2" x 22"

Wheel diameter - 3' 6 1/2"

Tractive Effort - 14,800 lbs

2648 was one of a batch of six locomotives for the ministry of supply (2648 to 2653) and the price of £2,500 per loco included some spare parts. A later repeat order for three more followed and the total of nine all went to Royal Ordanace Factories with 2648 headting for Burgfield, Reading, carrying the number ROF18 No2. During WWII the loco is believed to have seen use at at least one other ROF establishment, this being at Risley, Lancashire. In 1957 during transfer to ROF Rotherwas the locomotive 'ran hot' resulting in a stay at British Railways', Didcot Steam Shed where it was taken off its wheels for repairs to be effected.

After arrival and a short stay at Rotherwas a sale followed to a Coleford Glouster dealer, Fred Watkin. Situated at Watkins' plant depot at Milkwall the 1950's and 1960's saw up to three dozen steam and diesel locomotives of various gauges and it was here that 2648 found herself in the company of sister Bagnall 2653 from the original batch of six supplied to the ministry of supply (2653 had been allocated in the first instance to an R.O.F. establishment at Bescot and had also worked at ROF Swynnerton). One good locomotive was made from the two resulting in the sale of 2648 to Dunlop Rubber Co., Erdington, Birmingham with the locomotive arriving at Dunlop circa August 1965 and given a fleet number 6.

An uneventful few years in the company of two Peckett 0-4-0 ST's followed with the locomotives kept clean, ableit in the open, with a small amount of rail traffic from British Railways' line near Bromford Bridge comprising coal and raw materials for manufacture of the tyres. During November 1971 the Bagnall and one of the Pecketts went for preservation and were stored for many years at Hunts (soft drinks company), Hinckley, Leicestershire, the bagnall eventualy going to Shackerstone in June 1983 joining the Peckettt Dunlop No7 which had already been there since december 1974.

Restoration to steam in the hands of a private owner saw the locomotive in regular use on what is now known as the Battlefield Line but a decision by the owner (maybe reluctantly considering the time, effort and expense) to sell 2648 saw a furhter move thanks to purchase by a long standing Chasewater mamber.

On arrival at Chasewater, the locomotive was restored in the blue livery of the local National Coal Board, Cannock Area, but after a major overhaul the owner decided that it would revert to its green Dunlop No6 colours.

As a working locomotive No 6 is kept in the railway's locomotive shed when not in use.