A nameplate, EARL ROBERTS, from a War Department 4-4-2T, WD ...

Hammer

£1,400

A nameplate, EARL ROBERTS, from a War Department 4-4-2T, WD No 72400, which started life as a London, Brighton & South Coast Railway I2 Class tank No 13 built at Brighton in April 1908 which became SR No 2013. Condemned in January 1939, it was sent to Eastleigh Works along with sister engine 2019, but, because of the expected war, they were not broken up but stored in case further use could be made of them. This arose, although not in the manner anticipated, for, in October 1939, both were towed to Bournemouth shed and, with the aid of sandbags, converted into an air raid shelter. After permanent shelters were provided both were returned to Eastleigh where they came to the attention of the WD who purchased them both and, after overhaul at Ashford Works, this loco was renumbered 2400 and sent to Longmoor in April 1942 where it was renumbered 72400 and received its name, spending the rest of the war working local passenger trains to and from Longmoor. It was officially withdrawn in October 1946 and broken up in a siding at Guildford in July 1949. Cast brass, 50"x6½", the front repainted. (Postage Band: N/A)