What is significant about these locos?
Apart from being one of the largest class of one single type of narrow gauge loco built within the UK the vast majority were also completed within the space of three years. There were 155 ordered by the War Department from Hunslet for use behind the trenches during WW1 for the movement of personnel, munitions, and equipment. They were completed at a time when Hunslet were also constructing howitzers, shells, and machinery to make shells as well as a limited number of other locos. By comparison, in peace time they averaged about 40 locos of all designs per year.
The other remarkable feature of these machines is the diverse locations that they and the 9 built post war, ended up in. Scottish Highlands, to the Pampas of Argentina, Harrogate gasworks to Australian Canefields, Oxfordshire Ironstone to Palestinian Power Stations.
In 2005, the War Office Locomotive Society repatriated Hunslet 1215, and is now working to get 1215 back into steam. Oakwood Press have recently released a new book detailing the history of Hunslet 1215.
Our present target is 2014 for the anniversary of the start of WW1, and to this end we are finalising a plan to speed up restoration work, starting in early 2012. This will all happen quicker the more support we get, just click on the "How you can help" tab above. The loco was also formally transferred to the Trust which is a registered charity, and is able to claim gift-aid, so if you do donate please send us a completed form. Many thanks!