THE DÜBS 2-4-0s
The MSWJR acquired three 2-4-0s from Dübs & Co. in 1884. Numbered 10-12, they were handsome and useful, particularly for local goods and passenger work on the middle section of the line, from Cirencester through Swindon to Marlborough. In their early years they even worked throughtrains, including the ‘American and Cape’ ocean liner express from Cheltenham to Southampton. When the Great Western acquired them in 1923, Swindon Works fitted them with No. 11 boilers, the same as those used on the ‘Dean Goods’ 0-6-0s. The original cabs were reduced in length slightly to accommodate the longer boiler, and in due course the tenders received side raves in place of the original coal rails. Under the GWR they were renumbered 1334-36. One was in regular use on the Lambourn Valley branch and for much of their GWR careers they were based at either Reading or Didcot. All three passed into BR ownership but only No. 1335 received a boiler change in BR days and was thus the only one to carry a smokebox numberplate. Despite this, it was one of the first to be withdrawn. They carried plain black livery but none seems to have received either British Railways lettering or a BR emblem. Nos. 1334 and 1335 were withdrawn in 1952, No. 1336 lasting until March 1954 after a final fling on a special over the original MSWJR route. It was the last EX-MSWJR locomotive in traffic.