* The Unknown Warrior in the shed at Llangollen Railway being repainted for display in Dorset.
THE locomotive being built in
Llangollen to commemorate the centenary of the First World War is to make a
guest appearance at this year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair. Named The Unknown Warrior, the Patriot Class engine is being constructed in the specialist workshops at Llangollen Railway as part of a £1.5 million project and should be ready in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war in 2018.
But, still incomplete, it will be taken
down to Dorset to take pride of place in a World War One commemorative event at
the show to be staged at Tarrant Hinton, Blandford Forum from August 27-31.
After the First World War, three railway companies
named locomotives to honour their employees who had fought and died during
the conflict. These were Valour, Remembrance and Patriot.
The L & N W R memorial engine was a Claughton
class locomotive was named Patriot. This name was later transferred to the new
4-6-0 locomotive number 5500, which became the new Patriot memorial engine for
the LMS and after which the class took its name.
The Unknown Warrior is being built to keep up the tradition of war memorial engines and serve as a permanent memorial to all those who fought and died in the First World War and all subsequent wars.
The Unknown Warrior is being built to keep up the tradition of war memorial engines and serve as a permanent memorial to all those who fought and died in the First World War and all subsequent wars.
The LMS-Patriot Project has received the
endorsement of The Royal British Legion and the loco will proudly carry a
Legion crest above its nameplate.
The LMS-Patriot Project is looking to raise
£1.5 million pounds to build The
Unknown Warrior and extensive fundraising is continuing.
Llangollen Railway spokesman George Jones said: “The
Unknown Warrior is due to leave for Dorset by low loader next Friday.
“The loco
now sits on its
three main axles and six driving wheels.
“On its return from Dorset LR will fit
the middle and outside cylinders, which means taking off the wheels!”
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