NCB No.7 ‘Wimblebury’

‘Wimblebury’ was built for the National Coal Board in 1956 by Hunslet Engine Company in Leeds, to a design that was use to supply the Ministry of Defence and is commonly known as an ‘Austerity’.

The loco was delivered brand new to NCB Cannock Wood Colliery near Hednesford in Staffordshire, and worked there until the early 1970’s, when it was withdrawn from service. The colliery itself closed in 1973.

In September 1973, the loco was purchased privately for preservation, and moved to the nearby Foxfield Railway, originally as a source of spares for another locomotive, but this ultimately didn’t happen. It was regularly used during the late 1970’s at the Foxfield Railway, before being taken out of service for overhaul, re-entering service in the early 1980’s.

Following many years of service, including a visit to Littleton Colliery (once home to our very own Littleton No.5) in November 1993 before that colliery closed, it spent a lengthy period of time awaiting overhaul, before finally returning to service 2017.

'Wimblebury’ arrived at the Avon Valley Railway in 2023 and departed in June 2025.

We thank our friends at the Foxfield Railway for the loaning of ‘Wimblebury’ for the 2023 season.

You can find out more about the Foxfield Railway by visiting their website at Foxfieldrailway.co.uk.