Bagnalls Victor and Vulcan (2994 and 2996)

I'm hoping that someone can help me with a query on these two engines. Both are preserved and have over the years carried a variety of identities. I am a great fan of them, 2996 being the first steam loco I travelled behind back in 1981.

Early pictures I have seen of them at Austin Motors show them with the Austin logo on the cabside and the builders plate moved to a bracket under the water tanks. No other plates are shown. Later pictures (late 60's / early 70's) show an oval plate appearing on both locos on the footsteps under the cab. None of the pictures I can find of them in preservation have said plates attached. See links below for pictures illustrating said plates;

http://www.modelrailways.tv/7mm-industrials.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/155601626@N07/37665373866

I suspect that the plates are British Transport Commission / Railway Executive registration number plates but frustratingly, none of the pictures are clear enough to confirm this. The only work that lists such "Railway Executive/BTC/BR Board Registration Plates" (Pryer,H, IRS) was never a complete work, being a 'starter for ten'. It does not list these two locos as having such plates. Does anyone know please what the plates are and are they able to give any further details please?

Vulcan is now steamable at North Tyneside, restored to Steel Company of Wales condition. The works plates have been returned to the cabside, with the bracket under the tanks now carrying a plate 'BMA 21607'. Presumably this is British Motor Association and a fleet / plant number. I haven't seen such on Victor, nor is such apparent in pictures I have seen of her at SCoW. Again, can anyone help in identifying such?

Thanks for any help that can be given.

Jonathan

 

I hope of interest ,2996 taken at Port Talbot 05/06/1956,I push biked thro the works, bike taken by train from Northants to S/Wales. Vulcan Longbridge Sept 1971 .IRS visit.

 

They look well turned out in their BL days

 

Lovely pictures, thanks for sharing. There don't appear to be many published of the SCoW days so that is particularly nice.

Your shot of Vulcan at Longbridge clearly shows the plate I'm speaking of (though illegible at that angle). Do you happen please to have a rear 3/4 view and does such show a legible view of the plate?

 

No sorry ,I have two others of Vulcan took in a similar spot, don't know where the other Bagnal was but it recorded in my notebook as seen. Have a photo of their other loco' ,Austin 1 (Kitson 5459 /1932) appears to be dumped in a corner. The exact date was 27/08/1971.

 

North Tyneside Steam Railway have announced the ‘Victor & Vulcan Reunion Gala’ with Victor visiting from the L&HR at the end of April. This was originally scheduled in 2020 but got postponed.