IOWSR No.W11 - 140th Anniversary of a gold medallist

This year No. W11 (erstwhile L.B.S.C.R.No. 40, "Brighton") celebrates her 140th Anniversary.

To commemorate this, a small display has been added to the Museum at Havenstreet and a booklet, with sections on William Stroudley, the immensely successful visit to Paris and the issues involved in maintaining and operating a machine of this age is in the final stages of preparation.

The locomotive is in full working order and those interested can find the days she will be running from the railway's website.

Sadly, the gold medal went missing years ago!

PH

 

And Paul was there to witness the awarding of the Gold Medal , he's aged very well I must say
But how much of the loco answering to the number W11 is remaining from that day ?

 

Quite a bit of it actually. For example the frames are wrought iron and display the holes where the mounting bolts for the speed indicator impeller were fitted. No.40/W11 was the only one of her type fitted with this device so we are utterly sure of the identity.

By the way, does anyone know if, apart from Caledonian No. 123 there is another surviving gold medal winner in this country?

Paul H

 

A date to note in the diary is August 4 / 5 when W8; W11 and W24 will work services before W8 retires for overhaul.

 

And if anyone is thinking of visiting the IWSR this weekend, W24 is running today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. W24 will also be in steam on Sunday 8th April, when it will be heading the heritage goods train.

Proposed loco rosters are now available on IWSR website. During April there are opportunities to ride behind W24, WD198, 41298 and 41313. Of our operational fleet, that only leaves the two Terriers to make an appearance this year.

The Terriers and E1 W2 Yarmouth are all currently on display in Train Story.