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War Department Light Railway No 778 was built in 1917 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, USA (works number 44656). It was one of 495 4-6-0 tank engines built by Baldwin, for use on the vast network of 2ft (610mm) gauge lines laid to supply the World War 1 battlefields, in northern France, with food, ordnance and manpower.
After the war, it was one of 50 engines exported to the North Western Railway of India, becoming No 16 in their fleet. It was sold to a dealer in 1933, and later worked on the Daraula Light Railway. Fifty years later, it was withdrawn from service at its final home in India, the Upper India Sugar Mills, Khatauli, Uttar Pradesh, and sent to England for preservation.
Initially at the Chalk Pits Museum, Amberley, Sussex, it is now based at the Leighton Buzzard Railway, Bedfordshire, from where the restoration project was directed.
Last updated 25th April 2007
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