From the Office of Rail and Road

[whole diary]

[grahame]

... not the normal content I expect from the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) web site ... an interesting read, though

https://orr.gov.uk/news-and-blogs/orr-blog/2020/world-war-2-and-a-really-useful-class-of-steam-engine

World War 2 and a really useful class of steam engine
8 May 2020

By Steve Turner, HM Principal Inspector of Railways.

After World War 2 broke out there was a requirement for a powerful shunting locomotive for the nation’s war effort at home. Rather than use a mainline design, the War Department / Ministry of Supply turned to the Hunslet Engine Company of Leeds to update an existing design. This resulted in the ‘Austerity’ class of 0-6-0st locomotives - the first leaving the works on New Year’s Day 1943.

Railways were used to their full capacity throughout the war. The government at the time decreed that goods trains and some special trains (for example for troop movements) were to have priority.

The Hunslet locomotive, itself, was claimed to be more suitable both from the production viewpoint and for greater route availability. ...

Article continues, talking of around 75 remaining, mostly in preservation.  Ideal light railway workhorses!

Which lines / groups have them in our area?



Edit note: Minor correction to topic heading, for clarity. CfN.