Ex-WD 2-8-0 on freight from Bricklayer's Arms at North Kent West Junction

Image: © Ben Brooksbank Taken: 10 Mar 1948

WD No. 77180 is one of the 935 'Austerity' 2-8-0s built for War Service in 1943-45 at the North British Locomotive Co. Works (Hyde Park and Queens Park) in Glasgow or at the Vulcan Foundry, Newton-le-Willows. Of these, 450 operated in Britain before virtually all were sent to Liberated Europe between 11/44 and 3/45, some being there used by the US Army. After the end of the war, a large number were sold to the Netherlands Railways or loaned to the German, Belgian or French Railways - a few were lost in accidents or air-raids. However, eventually 733 were returned to Britain and served on British Railways for up to another 20 years: only a few were acquired by the Southern Railway - but only until 1950-51. The locomotive seen here, still fitted with Westinghouse brake pump, is working a freight out of Bricklayers Arms Yard. It was built by NB Loco in 7/43 and was loaned to the LNER (at March and Stratford) until 1/45 when it was shipped to France. It worked in Belgium until repatriated in 3/46 and loaned to the SR at Bricklayers Arms; in 7/51 (now No. 90164) it was moved to the LMR (Central Division) and was withdrawn in 9/65.

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