Today’s history lesson - Central Electricity Generating Board Meaford No.1:
Built by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn in 1951 as works No.7683 this loco was used as a shunter at the newly constructed Meaford Power Station in Staffordshire.
Meaford A was opened in 1948 and the construction of Meaford B was started in 1951, later opening in 1957. The power station was first operated by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and then the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB) from 1957.
7683 was delivered new to the power station as a standard, very powerful, 0-6-0 side tank design favoured by the CEA at the time. Their small diameter wheels enabled heavy loads to be hauled at slow speeds. She was used to transport coal hoppers between the exchange sidings and the boiler house hoppers/bunkers. It was said that Meaford No.1, along with Meaford No.2, were capable of pulling 1000 ton trains and worked on approximately nine miles of sidings which had a minimum radius of 175 feet and gradients of about 1in70. Meaford No.1 remained on site until the end of steam at the plant in 1972.
She was bought by, and transferred to, the East Lancashire Railway, hauling their first trains at Bury in August 1987. She was given an overhaul at Bury and moved to Middle Engine Lane in 1996 and was in regular service until 2003. Currently, she remains on display and is next in the overhaul queue.
NTSRA Archives
Robert Wade
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