Beautiful Pre-Grouping Era 2 locomotives ¦ Episode 02 Industrial, GWR & LNWR!

Welcome back to Episode 2 of our deep dive into Era 2 locomotives! This time, we turn our attention to the fascinating world of industrial railways with two Hornby Peckett W4 locomotives. While Hornby provides a brief background on these models, I wasn’t content to leave it at that-I went on a journey to uncover their true histories, and I’m so glad I did!
🔹 Peckett W4 No. 563 "Dodo" - Built in 1893 by Peckett & Sons at the Atlas Engine Works in Bristol, this hardy little 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive was originally delivered to the (Lower) Loughor Colliery in Swansea. New evidence suggests she played a key role in preparing the site for mining operations, and documents from Peckett & Sons reveal that she suffered damage during her years of service-proving just how hard she worked! By 1928, after 35 years of tough industrial duty, she was either scrapped or sold-her final fate remains a mystery.
🔹 Peckett W4 No. 882 "Niclausse" - Built in 1902 for Willans & Robinson of Queensferry, Deeside, this locomotive was named after the Niclausse boiler-a complex and ultimately failed naval engineering project. The Queensferry works shut down in 1908, and No. 882 was thought to have been scrapped. However, new records show that she was actually sold in 1909 and later served with Steel, Peach & Tozer Ltd. in Rotherham, proving she had a longer and more productive life than previously believed.
🔹 Supporting Cast:
GWR Dean Goods No. 2516 (Mainline, acquired in 1987) - A classic 2301 Class locomotive hauling empty coal wagons.
GWR 3031 "Lord of the Isles" - A beautiful representation of the Dean Single, a high-speed locomotive of its day, seen here with Hattons' vintage GWR coaches.
LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054 - A hard-working locomotive that served extensively across the LNWR network, particularly in South Wales.
🛤️ Discover the Hard Work of Industrial Locomotives!
To get a better sense of just how grueling life was for these industrial workhorses, check out this fantastic archive of photographs from Steel, Peach & Tozer Ltd.: transportsofde...
💬 Let’s Keep the Discussion Going!
Do you have any additional insights into these locomotives? Could Dodo have followed the fate of her sister engine, No. 1054, which later became GWR 927? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Thanks for watching-see you in the next episode! 🚂
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🏭 Industrial & Era 2 Specific Hashtags:
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[@wamgoc]

Great running session! Love that you have such a diverse stock! Thanks for sharing!😊

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks for watching! Most kind

[@rodericfindlay4147]

This is all very interesting, and the eye-level filming is very effective indeed. The 0-4-0 saddle tanks are so lovable, and you certainly made them work hard. Good to see a Dean Goods, a Coal Tank and Lord of the Isles. Well researched and well presented, this is an excellent piece of film. I particularly liked the six-wheeled brake van.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks so much Roderic, I'm so glad you enjoyed it

[@donniblanco5239]

Brilliant 🤩 I do like a Rake of Red Wagons, they looked Great behind the Dean - Those 4&6 wheel Coaches go So well with Loti and The Pecketts are Just Adorable as my Auntie would have Said 😉 Fantastic Episode Mike, Many Thanks 👍🏻

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Oh wow I'm delighted you enjoyed it 😀

[@ausfoodgarden]

Another entertaining and educational video Mike. Great cinematography and voiceover as usual. Thanks!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Wow thanks very much 😊🙏

[@paulbache3940]

Nicely done Mike and usual very informative, many thanks

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you 😊

[@RobA500]

Another wonderfully put together film, great stuff😊👍

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it, was an amazing journey 👏

[@iandouglas451]

fabulous - just what i needed as the bills pour in here! great videos. 🙂

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad it was helpful! Lol

[@NWRJ_WStudios]

Great video Mike, I really enjoyed it. Cheers Jasper & Willow

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks very kindly 🙏

[@stevenrowley8502]

Another outstanding film !!! The history lesson is always a pleasure to absorb.. How you manage to get so much mileage out of such a small layout and make it look so interesting amazes me. Can't wait for the next instalment.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

That's very kind of you. I must admit finding new angles and backgrounds is a bit of a challenge lol

[@gordonmcillroy455]

Always interesting Mike.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks more soon

[@neilfarrar6217]

Another great video Mike, Never expected to see the coal tank! LNWR is that a first? Loved all the great details.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks so glad you liked it. I've featured the Coal Tank before but probably the first use in a film

[@hotdogpilot6319]

There is much to be said for the Heritage Railway movement stepping in and saving such treasures.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Completely agree 👍

[@Night_Ferry]

These really are the videos that MRU does best. Great video and brilliant bit of research 🙂 Nice to see a good mixture of models. The LNWR coaches towards the end are interesting. Kits or scratch built?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it! Ah yes those are very heavy, plane bearing kit coaches dad made probably in the 60s. to run all three needs one of his kit built locos lol the Coal tank could only move them on a straight

[@janetlewis7145]

Another well-researched and outstanding history lesson on the pre-grouping era. This is an era that I don't hear much about. Thank you for enlightening us about this. The story of the Dodo was the most interesting one for us. Now I got to watch the very first video on this series. Bill and Janet from central California

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanking you both very kindly 😊☺️

[@DennisLora2001]

Amazing video Mike I like it well done ✅👍

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it, which loco was your favourite

[@Shelfandtabletoplayouts00gauge]

Captivating stuff. Enjoyed the little Pecketts and the big wheeled GWR loco. Another nice bit of research and running 👍 Hope you’re feeling a lot better Mike Darren

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks 👍 Darren, yes feeling better

[@piers995]

Another charming video.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks 👍 very much 😊

[@stephendavies6949]

A lovely celebration of loco types widely used in the land of my birth. Those coal tanks were worked hard over the Abergavenny to Merthyr route. The remnants of the most precarious section - through Clydach Gorge / Blackrock - can still be seen. I also have a Dean Goods. Like yours, it has its very own soundtrack. But it's a mighty little loco. Keep up the good work, Mike.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Facinating area. Does your Dean Goods only drive on two of the tender axles? Mine did from new.

[@Ken-Kaef]

Fascinating 😀

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thank you 👍 it really is amazing 🙏

[@KellinoRail]

Great video as always Mike 😎

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks very kindly 🙏

[@Shauniboy1984]

Fantastic video matey - very interesting!

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Glad you enjoyed it cheers 🍻

[@christopherbellamy639]

Great running session. Do you know if any coal tanks ever ventured as far as Stamford (Seaton-Uppingham/Seaton-Stamford branch lines)?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Hi 👋 thanks very much. Not sure about your question

[@petersmith4455]

hello Mike, great video. i'm looking to obtain a Peckett loco to go with my Triang jinties . they look cute. we had a peckett at southall RLY centre in the 80's called Birkenhead, i think it used to belong to acton power station.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Thanks very much 😀

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

I love this stuff, it is a History lesson and no noise and sounds locos with all the fake imitation noises. DODO looks like a lovely little 0-4-0. I love the stem engines as they all have a bit of character to themselves whereas a diesel loco is usually just a big rectangle on wheels.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Very glad you enjoyed it

[@MichealRandall-q2x]

What were you transporting in your wagon Mike?

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Lol could be a secret 🙊 😜

[@iandouglas451]

dare i say? would look even better with crew in the cab.

[@ModelRailwaysUnlimited]

Lol yeah I know, shortage of drivers just now 🤣