GWR Pannier 7752 (LT No. L94)

GWR Pannier 7752

Built : North British locomotive Ltd 1930

Withdrawn : 1959 (BR)

Second Life : Operated engineering trains on the Metropolitan Lines of London Transport from Neasden Depot as No. L94. Hauled the last engineers steam train on the Met 06/06/71.

Withdrawn : 1971 (LT)

Third Life : Preserved at Birmingham Railway Museum (now Tyseley Locomotive Works) by 7029 Clun Castle Ltd.

Returns to Steam : 23/06/11 as L.94
Images : click on an image to enlarge

7752 is one of the three 57xx class Great Western Pannier Tanks within the Tyseley Collection - 7752, 7760 & 9600. These locomotives were to be found practically all over the GWR system and were equally at home on shunting duties, freight trains and local passenger dutes.

7752 was built by the North British Locomotive Company Ltd, Glasgow in November 1930 for the Great Western Railway Company. Delivered to Swindon factory along with 7750, 7752 started life at Aberdare, where it was based until May 1934 when it was recalled to Swindon Works for a general repair. The repair was finished in August after which it was allocated to Newport until August 1938 when another visit to Swindon was required.

From August 1938 until 1943 7752 stayed in the Newport area, apart from a short visit to Caerphilly works in 1942. From August 1943 until 1946, 7752 was allocated to Aberbeeg and Aberdare sheds when, in November 1946 it moved to Tondu. 7752 was based at Tondu from 1946 until December 1951, apart from a short visit to Caerphilly works for repair.

From December 1951 until May 1952 7752 was put in store, presumably at Tondu. Reinstated at Tondu on 24 May 1952, 7752 went to Caerphilly works for a heavy general repair, after which it returned to Tondu for the rest of its BR life, except the occasional foray to Caerphilly works for repairs.

Sold to the London Transport Executive on 4th November 1959, 7752 acquired London Transport livery and the number L94. It hauled the last steam train on 'The Met' on 6th June 1971 and in so doing featured on the 10 o'clock news and on the front page of the Daily Telegraph.

The engine was bought by 7029 Clun Castle Ltd after 12 years working engineering trains on London Transport. 7752 needed only a few minor repairs and a repaint before entering service. However it did appear at the June 1971 Tyseley Open Day in London Transport livery.

Since then 7752 has been a roving ambassador for Tyseley, visiting various preserved railways including examples the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway, Swanage Railway, Bodmin & Wenford Railway, East Lancashire Railway and then the Avon Valley Railway. It was repainted into early 1950s BR Black when at the East Lancs Railway in 1994, but has since returned to Tyseley and has been outshopped in GWR livery with the letters GWR on its tanks. It has spent a season at Toddington, but then returned to Tyseley to store appearing at Open Days.

As 2011 is the 40th anniversary of L94's last trip on 'The Met' 7752 has been returned to steam in the guise of London Transport No. L94. It seems right to celebrate that memorable occasion, which was featured on TV's Ten O'Clock News and made the front page of The Daily Telegraph - the 'last day of standard gauge steam in Britain'. Well, it was for a short while - until the 'Return To Steam' in October 1971 using preserved steam engines. But that's another story!