Didcot’s little Trojan returns

AVONSIDE 0-4-0ST No. 1340 Trojan was expected to return to action at Didcot Railway Centre on May 1 following overhaul at Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough.

The 1897-built former Alexandra Docks Railway locomotive last ran at Didcot in 2011, but departed in 2016 for Loughborough for a contract overhaul.

This ended up being a far larger job than anticipated, and cost more than £200,000. The work undertaken included the fabrication and fitting of a new copper firebox, copper tubeplate, firehole door ring, smokebox liner, ashpan, firebox stays and a complete re-tube, plus extensive motion refurbishment.

Trojan was to be officially welcomed back into traffic by local MP David Johnston OBE, and was to work both passenger and demonstration goods trains on Didcot’s branch line alongside Large Prairie No. 4144.

Additionally a special line-up of the railway centre’s four

0-4-0s – No. 1340 Kitson, No. 1338 RSH Bonnie Prince Charlie and ex-Wantage Tramway No. 5

Shannon – was to take place outside the loco shed during the course of the bank holiday weekend.

HARRY JONES/GWS No. 1340 Trojan stands on Didcot’s turntable on March 22, just a few days following its delivery from Locomotive Maintenance Services.