Ex-Great Western Rly. Churchward/Collett '81xx' class 2-6-2 Tank No. 8108. Built at Swindon in September 1939 and withdrawn in November 1960.

Peter Kerslake says " Just ten members of earlier condemned of the "5100" class were rebuilt at Swindon from 1938 with new front frames, improved boilers and smaller driving wheels but the outbreak of the war stopped the programme from being extended.
During 27 years in service the ten were in the mid 'fifties to be found housed at Leamington, Worcester, Kidderminster and here at Birmingham's Tyseley, and in Wales two were at Neyland and one each at Carmarthen and Neath.
8107 was the first to be condemned in 1962 whilst 8109 survived as the last until 1965."

© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive