No. 1
Non-steam locomotives on and around the OBR do not normally carry names, so this engine is simply known as ‘Number 1’. A little noisy, but surprisingly powerful, the engine does get through a lot of work.
No. 2 – Ann Marie
Ann Marie is the locomotive most often seen working trains on the OBR. It could do with a bit of a refresh, but there has been an increase in traffic recently, so finding time in the workshops is not easy.
No. 3 – Forward!
Forward! is so named because it runs very much better chimney-first rather than bunker-first – something to do with the ‘modified Yorkshire type 2’ valve-gear. It has to be said that running chimney-first it is capable of prodigious feats of haulage, at speeds that worry the line’s Civil Engineer!
No. 4 – Darwin
Darwin was built as an 0-4-2 tender engine, with the intention of using it on passenger trains on the WRL. Alas, passenger traffic never materialised, and subsequently it the engine was rebuilt as an 0-4-0, resulting in being less track-sensitive. A very fine engine, which gets much use.
No.5 – Horace
A virtually bog-standard Roundhouse Millie, purchased new in 2000, and performs in the best Roundhouse tradition.
No.6 – Invicta
This was going to be an ‘overtype’, but construction never really progressed beyond initial sketches. Maybe one day it will see the light of day.
No. 7
The chassis and bits of bodywork were purchased very cheaply in 2001. Replacing the electric motor with something better, and cobbling up some bodywork, resulted in a reliable and useful (if ugly) engine.
No.8 – Ludwig
A virtually standard Roundhouse Billy, purchased second-hand in 2001, and still going strong. Was converted to radio-control at one time, since converted back to manual.
No.9 – Buddy
Built in 2003 from Roundhouse boiler and cylinders. Home-made slip-eccentric (sort-of) valve-gear was coupled to a geared-down drive, which made it a slow-ruuning engine that would pull anything. As such it got a huge amount of running, resulting in a bit too much wear and tear – so it was rebuilt with chain-driven gear and drive. As such it now runs a bit faster, although not as powerful.
No. 10 – Monty
A geared oscillator tram loco, now withdrawn. Maybe one day it will be rebuilt, maybe not.
No. 11 – Arthur
An old Barry Milner built engine, purchased from the builder in 2004. a characterful little engine – a geared single-cylinder oscillator, meths fired. a great runner, but only in a forward direction (Barry called it arthur because it was only ‘alf an engine’).
No. 12 – Lady Dorothy
A circa-1984 built Roundhouse Pooter, purchased in 2005 (imported from the US). Meths fired, this is probably the calmest engine on the line to run – a great engine.
No.13 – Akroyd
Built in 2011 from a very solidly-built commercial chassis, this is a strong and reliable locomotive.
No.14 – Sulphur
A twin ‘osmotor’-type engine and a Roundhouse boiler have resulted in a very powerful (and heavy) locomotive. Entered traffic in 2024, and still being run-in. This engine gets more powerful one warmed up, and capable of hauling prodigious loads.
No.15 – Wolfgang
A donated Playmobil body (well, most of) gave rise to an idea of a steam-outline electric loco. A cheap chassis was purchased to power it. Buy cheap, buy twice. Currently withdrawn after a very, very small mileage – one day I will build my own chassis for it.
No.16 – Tally Ho!
The OBR (and the WRL before it) is essentially an industrial line, so passengers are very much a low priority. Tally Ho! is still very much not finished, but will be a computer-controlled railbus – hopefully!