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About this blog

The history and fate of the locomotives that worked at the Small Heath scrapyard of Charles Strong, 1966-86.

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John Fowler 422 Class diesel-hydraulic

This engine was built in 1965 and worked at British Leyland, Swindon, before becoming surplus to requirements. It arrived at Strong's yard in 1979 in full working order and after a time working the yard was added to the hire fleet. It was easy to drive and powerful, with a Twin Disc torque convertor and Leyland O.680 engine.
Ruston

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Andrew Barclay 14-inch 0-4-0ST Polly Gray

This saddletank was new in 1941 and worked at a munitions factory in North Wales. It was later sold to a gas works, near Worcester and when replaced by diesels in 1961, was stored in its shed. A run-down of the works, just before the coming of north sea gas, saw all the equipment sold for scrap and the loco was acquired by Strong in 1973. It was named Polly Gray and put to work occasionally right up until 1982, when it was presented to the Chasewater Railway. You won't find it there as it is off
Ruston

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11-ton Hibberd 4wDM

This Dorman-engined Hibberd is believed to have originally been built in 1956 for a cement works in Kent. It was sold to a contractor in 1964 and was used on various tracklifting contracts around the country in the wake of Beeching's closures of unprofitable lines. It was seen in the Camden yard of Alfie Solomons Ltd. in 1967 and by 1974 had turned up at Strong's yard, in Small Heath.   It doesn't appear ro have been very popular with the drivers and spent a lot of time at the end of t
Ruston

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Ruston 48DS No.1

This Ruston & Hornsby 48DS was supplied new to the Midland Widget Works, in 1949. The works closed in 1973 and the contract to demolish and dispose of all scrap metal on site went to Charlie Strong. The loco was found to be in excellent mechanical condition and was taken to Garrison Lane to join No.2 in shunting the yard.   It was last recorded by the IRS as being seen in 1984. Presumed scrapped or sold thereafter.
Ruston

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Ruston 48DS No.2

According to the Industrial Railway Society's records, this diminutive Ruston 48DS arrived at the yard in 1966. It is thought to have been supplied new to the Ministry Of Supply, in 1942. Where it worked during the war is unknown, but it was first noted at an engineering works, near Bromsgrove, in 1959.   It was last noted by IRS members parked at the very rear of the shed at Garrison Lane, presumed scrapped or sold by 1979.      
Ruston

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