LMR 600 Gordon

Longmoor Military Railway number 600 Gordon is a preserved British steam locomotive. It was built during World War II to the War Department "Austerity" 2-10-0 design by the North British Locomotive Co. at its Hyde Park Works in Glasgow in 1943, and was the last steam locomotive owned by the British Army.[1] The middle driving wheels of the class have no flange, to ease turning on tighter tracks. Number 600 was only the second engine to emerge from a class that eventually numbered 150 engines.

For coaxial cable, see LMR-600.

Longmoor Military Railway 600 Gordon
Gordon on the Longmoor Military Railway, 1949
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderNorth British Locomotive Company
Serial number25437
ModelWD Austerity 2-10-0
Build date1943
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-10-0
 • UIC1′E h2
Leading dia.2 ft 9 in (0.838 m)
Driver dia.4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1.435 m)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity9 long tons (9.1 t)
Water cap5,000 imperial gallons (23,000 l; 6,000 US gal)
Boiler pressure225 lbf/in2 (1.55 MPa)
Career
Operators
Numbers
  • WD 3651 → 76351
  • Army: 600
Withdrawn1969
Current ownerSevern Valley Railway
DispositionDisplayed in The Engine House
Gordon as stored in "The Engine House" at Highley

Naming

The Locomotive was named in honour of the Royal Engineers' most famous General, Charles Gordon ("Gordon of Khartoum").

Post-war service

After the war it was used by the Royal Engineers on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire, UK. When the LMR closed in 1969 it was preserved on the Severn Valley Railway, arriving there in 1972 and operating on and from 29 July of that year.[1] In May 1980 it took part in the Locomotive Parade at Rocket 150, the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Rainhill. Gordon also served as Gordon the Big Engine from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends as part of SVR's former Day out with Thomas events. It was withdrawn from service in 1999 after a boiler tube blew. The engine was deemed non cost effective to repair at that point in time. The loco itself is in reasonable mechanical condition, the boiler requiring further inspection and a possible retubeing and re staying. [2]

Current status

Gordon was given a cosmetic repaint after being stored outside for many years and was one of the first locomotives placed in The Engine House museum adjoining Highley in March 2008. On 25 July 2008 the locomotive was formally handed-over by the Army to the Severn Valley Railway, who had been looking after it in a caretaker capacity.[3] As of 2018 it is still awaiting funding for an overhaul.

References
  1. "SVR given Gordon". Heritage Railway. Horncastle: Mortons Media Ltd (115): 31. 4 September – 1 October 2008.
  2. Severn Valley Railway News, Issue 130 Summer 1999, p. 15.
  3. Severn Valley Railway News, Issue 164 Winter 2008/9, p. 17.


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