3218 1938-12-04 Leamington MPD
Great Western Railway Collett '3200' or 'Dukedog' class 4-4-0 No. 3218. Built at Swindon in Apr. 1938, re-numbered to 9018 in Aug. 1946 and withdrawn in June 1960 as BR No. 9018. Swindon's recycling of the boilers (from the 'Duke' class) and frames (from the 'Bulldog' class) is typical of the GWR's 'renewal' philosophy. Classifying the 'Dukedogs' as "new" was also of advantage to the GWR's accounts department! Thankfully, No. 9017 "Earl of Berkeley' survives in preservation at the Bluebell Railway. Back in December 1938 at Leamington MPD, 3218 rests outside the shed.
© Les Hanson-David Hanson Archive