Class B7 'Pug' 0-4-0 Saddletank No.68 (No.51218)

No. 68 was acquired direct from British Railways in late 1964 and delivered to the Worth Valley Railway to become the first locomotive there in January 1965.  

Pugs were given running numbers in the L&YR build sequence, so preserved Pug No. 68 later became LMS number 11218 and BR number 51218.  No. 68 had a varied working life ending up shedded at Preston by 1950, followed by spells at Monument Lane, Crewe South, Bank Hall, Widnes, Bristol Barrow Road, Swansea East Dock and Neath, from where she was withdrawn in 1964.

Re-tubed in 1974 for the Stockton and Darlington parade, No. 68 celebrated her 75th anniversary in steam in1976.

The locomotive is currently displayed in L&Y livery.  The boiler tubes have been condemned and the Pug will not run again until the boiler has had a 10 year overhaul.  This will entail removing the saddletank and cladding, lifting the boiler, removing the blastpipe, ashpan, grate and boiler tubes.  No. 68 will be stored intact until 752 is finished.

Gallery - click the image to view ..