Eastern & Midlands Railway Wm. Marriott 2-4-0 No. 2A. Built circa 1891 as a rebuild of an 0-6-0 Tank acquired from the Cornwall Minerals Railway and withdrawn in 1899.

One of Britain's many pre-grouping 'lesser lines' was that of the short-lived Eastern & Midlands Railway. Formed in 1881 as an amalgamation of other small railways, it was absorbed into the M&GN by 1893. The rebuilding of an 0-6-0 Tank to a tender locomotive was the reverse of the usual procedure! Nonetheless, this interesting 2-4-0 was the result and is seen sitting outside its shed at Melton Constable in 1899 about the time of its withdrawal.

© Steve Armitage Collection