A smokebox numberplate, 63806, from a Robinson Great Central...

Hammer

£320

A smokebox numberplate, 63806, from a Robinson Great Central Railway type 2-8-0 built to Ministry of Munitions order by the North British Locomotive Co, Works No 21892, in May 1918 for the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers, ROD No 1915. Loaned to the London & North Western Railway in September 1919 as their No 2884, it was returned to the ROD in August 1921 and stored at Queensferry. Acquired by the LNER in February 1927, it became their No 6601. It was rebuilt with Thompson B1 type boiler and re-classified as O1 Class in August 1944, renumbered 3806 in 1946 becoming BR 63806. After rebuilding it was allocated to Thornton but in January 1949 moved to Annesley where it was joined by fifty other O1s for working the famous fast coal trains to Woodford Halse known as windcutters. Withdrawn from Annesley on 21 November 1962, it was despatched for scrap to Derby Works on 15 October 1963. The front repainted. (Postage Band: D)