So long associated and familiar with the North Cornwall china clay traffic , and Wadebridge in particular , it is the fact , however , that the little Beattie Well Tanks started life working in and around the London suburban services following their introduction in 1870 , such duties lasting for ten years or so .
Just three of the class survived in the late 1890's namely 298 , 314 and 329 and the first of that trio was sent down to deepest Cornwall in 1893 , followed by 298 two years afterwards and by the third and last of the three surviving members of the class shortly thereafter.
Astonishingly the three Well Tanks served the china clay rosters for no less than 60 years , in their later years becoming 30585 , 30586 and 30587 with one in regular daily use , one stationed at Wadebridge for station duties whilst the third was kept as a spare engine.
Sadly , 30586 was broken up following withdrawal , but happily both 30585 and 30587 have both been preserved