Clark Railworks C1005Z OO Gauge WD Austerity 2-10-0 90775 'The Royal Norfolk Regiment' BR Black Early Crest

The Austerity 2-10-0 locomotives were developed from the 2-8-0 WD locomotives by Robert Arthur 'Robin' Riddles for the Ministry of Supply. They were intended for use by the British Army overseas during and after World War 2. Two batches were built by the North British Locomotive Company at a cost of £12,500 each. The first batch of 100 were delivered between 1943 and 1944, whilst the second batch of 50 were delivered in 1945.

The design for the 2-10-0 was started in 1942. The brief was to be easy to prepare for work, easy to maintain and drive, and to be efficient. The locomotives were designed as a military tool and it was reported that Sir Alan Mount, the then Chief Inspecting Officer for Rail, had clearly stated that they weren#t to be used on Britain's railways. Riddles retorted that he did not care if the engines were pushed into the sea once the war was won!

With Nationalisation in 1948, the British Transport Commission decided to purchase 25 of the 2-10-0s that were still owned by the War Department. These were officially listed as running stock in December 1948, although most were kept in store until 1949-50. These BR examples were allocated to LMS sheds, mainly in Scotland; and survived until withdrawals between 1961 and 1962.

Of the original batch of 100, one was allocated to the Longmoor Military Railway, and 20 were shipped out to the Middle East. The LMS received the remaining 79 until they were needed in continental Europe in late 1944. The second batch of 50 entered service between March and September 1945 to bolster the fleet.

After the war 103 engines were sent to the Netherlands and reclassified as NS 5000 Class and operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), 25 came back to the UK under British Railways ownership, 16 were bought by Hellenic State Railways (SEK) in Greece. Four ended up in Syria working for the Chemins de Fer Syriens (CFS) and known as CFS Class 150.6 and the final two were 600 'Gordon' and#601 'Kitchener' which resided at the Longmoor Military Railway.

Of the 150 locomotives built eight survive today. Not surprisingly the majority of the surviving
2-10-0's are Greek examples, of which 2 have been brought back to the UK, bringing the
total on UK soil to three. Both 951 and 960, better known in the UK as 90775 'The Royal Norfolk Regiment' and 3672 'Dame Vera Lynn', were fortunate enough to be repatriated and join ex- LMR 600 'Gordon' back on home turf. 90775 can be found hauling passengers through the picturesque views of north Norfolk on the North Norfolk Railway. It is currently the only operational UK based 2-10-0. 600 'Gordon' takes pride of place in the Engine House at Highley on the Severn Valley Railway where the locomotive can be seen
up close. Finally 3672 is currently undergoing a major refurbishment at the North Yorkshire
Moors Railway having just received an overhauled tender.

Overseas the 5 Ex-pat WDs are in various states of repair. 955 (3656), 962 (3677), 964 (3682) and 958 (3659) are all stored in various states internally and externally in Thessaloniki - Greece, having operated on the Drama to Xanthi line. However, 73755 is the sole surviving Dutch example that is proudly displayed in the Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht, currently in WD khaki green and was the 1000th WD locomotive to reach the continent.

Built for the Ministry of Supply in December 1943 and delivered as number 3652, it was renumbered 76352 with works number 25438. 76352# was initially allocated for use in the war torn middle east. The engine was shipped to Egypt with 15 other class members and placed in store.

By October 1945 the locomotives were deemed surplus to requirements, sold to the Hellenic State Railways and shipped to Salonika in January 1946. 76352 was then renumbered Our to ?ß951 and based in the Salonika divisions and worked duties such as the Athens - Istanbul Express.

Final withdrawal came for ?ß951 in 1979 where it was purchased by enthusiasts, and repatriated to the Mid Hants Railway where a majority of the foreign parts had been removed to put the engine back to as-built condition. The engine re-entered traffic in 1988 and was outshopped as 90775, following on from the BR numbering which stopped at 90774.

The engine was sold to the Essex Locomotive Society and was based at the North Yorkshire Moors from 1992. During 2003 the engine was at the North Norfolk Railway and at this time came for sale and was subsequently bought by the M&GN society in 2006 where it is in steam currently.

- Die-cast Boiler, Smokebox & Chassis
- Brass & Plastic Constructed Tender
- Injection Moulded Cab & Fine Details
- High Quality Coreless Motor
- Finely Applied Separate Pipework
- Separately Fitted Cab Backhead Detailing
- Individual Specific Locomotive Details
- Separate Fire Irons included
- Fully Detailed Wheels & Axles
- Working Sprung Screw Link Couplings
- Sprung Buffers
- Left & Right Hand Drive Locomotives
- Finely detailed external and underside detailing
- Brass Bearings fitted to all Axles
- Firebox Glow
- Metal Cylinder Liners for Smooth Operation & Longevity
- Plug 'N' Play Next18 DCC Easy Access Harness
- Fully Removable Front & Rear Tension Lock Coupling