GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Lapworth Station: gwrl1483

Ex-Great Western Railway 2-8-0 30xx class ROD No 3012 with a northbound class H unfitted through freight south of Lapworth on Sunday 4th December 1955. This class were notorious for leaking steam and slack couplings which made the footplate uncomfortable, but were good workhorses, seemingly able to plod on forever with substantial loads. These locomotives became known as the ROD’s because they were built for the Railway Operating Division (R.O.D.) of the Royal Engineers for service in France in the later stages of the First World War. They were based on the Great Central Railway's 2-8-0 8K class locomotives designed by JGNo 3012 Robinson. Built in 1919 at the Queen’s Park Works of the North British Locomotive Company (with works No 22119) No 3012 was given the number No 2024 by the Railway Operating Division. With the end of the war in November 1918 surplus ROD engines were initially stored and then offered for sale.

The Great Western Railway purchased No 3012 in June 1919 as one of twenty engines in Lot 215 and was known to have been allocated to Banbury shed (BAN) in January 1921. Although some Swindonisation had taken place directly after purchase, in August 1929 this locomotive was fitted with a new ‘MB’ boiler with a copper firebox, Swindon superheater, top feed and Great Western Railway pattern safety valve, but retained its steam brake. No 3012 was known to have been allocated to Severn Tunnel Junction shed (STJ) in January 1934 and prior to nationalisation, in December 1947, was allocated to Pontypool Road shed (PPRD). It was still allocated there in April 1952. This locomotive was withdrawn from Tyseley shed (2A) in May 1956 and scrapped in the same year at Swindon Works.

Robert Ferris

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