LMR 600 Gordon
Longmoor Military Railway number 600 Gordon is a preserved British steam locomotive. It was built during World War II to the War Department "Austerity" 2-10-0 design by the North British Locomotive Co. at its Hyde Park Works in Glasgow in 1943, and was the last steam locomotive owned by the British Army.[1]
600 was only the second engine to emerge out of a class which eventually numbered 150 engines. The Locomotive was named in honour of the Royal Engineers most famous General, Charles Gordon (”Gordon of Khartoum”).
After the war it was used by the Royal Engineers on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire, UK. When the LMR closed in 1969 it was preserved on the Severn Valley Railway, arriving there in 1972 and operating from the following year.[1] as of 2005[update] it awaits overhaul.
Gordon is unpopular with the loco drivers of the SVR, being described as "hot and temperamental".[2] Partly because of this, Gordon is at the end of the queue when it comes to restoration.[3] It has, however, been given a cosmetic overhaul and has been placed in the new Engine House near Highley station along with several other steam locomotives with notable histories.
Gordon's middle driving wheels have no flange to ease turning on tighter tracks.
More recently, Gordon has also served as Gordon the Big Engine from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends as part of SVR's Day out with Thomas events.
On 25 July 2008 this locomotive was formally handed-over by the Army to the Severn Valley Railway, who had been looking after it in a caretaker capacity.
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