Steam Locomotive - GWR 1340 TROJAN 0-4-0ST

built for Alexandra Docks & Railway Company

Heritage & Preserved Steam Locomotive Engines

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A history of steam locomotive 1340

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[Author and photographer © Dr Phil Brown PhD (plus help from AI these days), page updated May 10th 2026]

Green liveried 0-4-0T saddle tank locomotive 1340 TROJAN. This engine was owned by the Alexandra Docks & Railway Company, it was built in 1897 by the Avonside Engine Company, Bristol, and rebuilt at Swindon in 1903 and sold by the GWR in 1932 for industrial use.

0-4-0ST saddle tank engine 1340 photographed at the GWR Didcot Railway Centre.

The GWR No. 1340 Trojan is a preserved 0-4-0ST steam locomotive built in 1897 by the Avonside Engine Company of Bristol, England. Originally constructed for Messrs Dunn & Shute of Newport Town Dock, it was later acquired by the Alexandra Docks Railway in 1903. When the Alexandra Docks Railway was absorbed into the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1923, the locomotive was renumbered 1340.

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Technical Specifications

• Configuration: 0-4-0ST (Saddle Tank)

• Gauge: Standard gauge (4 ft 8½ in / 1,435 mm)

• Driver Diameter: 3 ft (0.91 m)

• Wheelbase: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

• Length: 20 ft 1 in (6.12 m)

• Weight: 22.85 long tons (23.22 t)

• Fuel Type: Coal

• Fuel Capacity: 1,100 lb (0.5 t)

• Water Capacity: 630 imperial gallons (2,900 L)

• Boiler Pressure: 160 psi (1,100 kPa)

• Cylinders: Two outside (14 in × 20 in / 356 mm × 508 mm)

• Valve Gear: Stephenson

• Tractive Effort: 11,100 lbf (49,000 N)

Operational History

After its time with the GWR, Trojan was withdrawn from service in July 1932 and sold to Netherseal Colliery at Burton-on-Trent. In 1947, it was transferred to Alders (Tamworth) Ltd. Eventually, after years of industrial use, the locomotive was preserved and moved to the Didcot Railway Centre in April 1968.

Following restoration, Trojan entered service again in 2002, running demonstration trains at Didcot until 2011, when it was withdrawn for a 10-year overhaul. The overhaul was completed in 2021, and Trojan returned to operation as the oldest working GWR locomotive.

Great Western 1340 TROJAN: Technical details of locomotive 1340: Boiler pressure of 1340: 120 lbf/sq.in., Weight of 1340: 22.5 tons, Wheel diameter of 1340: 3' 0'', Valve gear of 1340: Stephenson slide valves, Cylinders of 1340(diameter x stroke): 14" x 20" (O),  Tractive effort of 1340: 11110 lbf., Power classification of 1340: Class Unclassified

The rather exposed cab of GWR 1340 !

1340 TROJAN is a neat little tank engine, well designed to negotiate the tight curves of a dockland railway.

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GWR 0-4-0ST
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
GWR No. 1340 Trojan preserved at Didcot Railway Centre
The GWR 0-4-0ST steam locomotives were acquired by the Great Western Railway at the 1923 grouping. They came from small railways (mostly in South Wales) and from contractors.1340 survived into British Railways ownership in 1948 and is preserved.

More on GWR No. 1340 Trojan
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Designer Avonside Engine Company
Builder Avonside Engine Company
Serial number 1386
Build date 1897
Specifications
Configuration:
​
• Whyte 0-4-0ST
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Driver dia. 3 ft (0.914 m)
Length 20 ft 1 in (6.12 m)
Loco weight 22.85 long tons (23.22 t; 25.59 short tons)
Fuel type Coal
Fuel capacity 0 long tons 10 cwt (1,100 lb or 0.5 t)
Water cap 630 imp gal (2,900 l; 760 US gal)
Firebox:
• Firegrate area 8.25 sq ft (0.766 m2)
Boiler pressure 160 psi (1,100 kPa)
Cylinders two outside
Cylinder size 14 in × 20 in (356 mm × 508 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort 11,100 lbf (49,000 N)
Career
Power class unclassed
Disposition Preserved
GWR No. 1340 is an 0-4-0ST steam locomotive, built in 1897 (Works No. 1386) by the Avonside Engine Company of Bristol, England.

Her first owners were Messrs Dunn & Shute of Newport Town Dock. In 1903 she was purchased by the Alexandra Docks Railway. This was absorbed into the Great Western Railway in 1923.

In July 1932, the GWR sold her to the Netherseal colliery, Burton-on-Trent. She changed hands again in 1947, going to Alders (Tamworth) Ltd.

Preservation
Trojan is now preserved at the Didcot Railway Centre. It was restored to working order in 2002 and remained in service on demonstration trains at Didcot until 2011 when it was withdrawn for a ten-yearly overhaul. Trojan was moved offsite in 2016 for the overhaul to take place.

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A brief history of steam locomotive 1340

GWR 1340 Trojan is one of the most distinctive small Great Western Railway tank engines to survive—an 0‑4‑0 saddle tank with a long industrial life, later adopted into the GWR fleet, and today one of the oldest operational GWR locomotives. Below is a full, structured history synthesising all verified details from the search results.

GWR 1340 Trojan was built in 1897 by Avonside for dock shunting at Newport, absorbed into the GWR in 1923, withdrawn in 1932, worked in industry until 1968, and is now preserved at Didcot Railway Centre where it operates as one of the oldest working GWR locomotives.

1. Construction and Industrial Origins of locomotive 1340 (1897–1903)

• Built 1897 by the Avonside Engine Company, Bristol
  – Works No. 1386
  – Type: 0‑4‑0ST (saddle tank)
  – Designed for tight‑radius dock shunting
  – Outside cylinders: 14 in × 20 in
  – Boiler pressure: 160 psi
  – Tractive effort: 11,100 lbf
  – Weight: 22 tons 17 cwt
  – Driving wheels: 3 ft

• Ordered by Messrs Dunn & Shute for Newport Town Dock, South Wales.

This early industrial phase explains its compact size and rugged design—ideal for cramped dockside curves.

2. Alexandra Docks & Railway (1903–1922)

• Sold in 1903 to the Alexandra Docks Railway (ADR).

• Worked unnumbered as a dock shunter.

The ADR was later absorbed into the GWR, which brought Trojan into mainline ownership.

3. Great Western Railway Service of locomotive 1340  (1923–1932)

• Absorbed into the GWR on 1 January 1922; officially numbered 1340 in 1923.

• Allocations included:

  • Cardiff Cathays

  • Radyr

  • Oswestry

  • Greenford

• Withdrawn by the GWR in July 1932.

Despite being a small industrial shunter, Trojan retained its nameplate throughout its GWR career.

4. Industrial Life After GWR of locomotive 1340  (1932–1968)

After withdrawal, Trojan returned to industrial service:

• Netherseal Colliery, Burton‑on‑Trent (from 1932)

• Alders (Tamworth) Ltd., a sand and gravel company (from 1947)

It remained in industrial use until 1968, unusually long for a Victorian‑built locomotive.

5. Preservation and Restoration (1968–present)

Arrival at Didcot of locomotive 1340

• Acquired by enthusiast John True, then bequeathed to the Great Western Society.

• Arrived at Didcot Railway Centre in April 1968, one of the earliest locomotives on site.

Restoration timeline of locomotive 1340

• 2002 – First steamed in preservation after major restoration including a new boiler.

• 2011 – Withdrawn for a 10‑year overhaul.

• 2016–2021 – Overhauled off‑site by Locomotive Maintenance Services, including boiler, motion, and frame work.

Return to service of locomotive 1340

• Returned to Didcot in March 2021 and re‑entered service shortly afterwards.

• A later update notes a further return to steam on 1 May 2025, making it the oldest operational GWR locomotive.

Current role of locomotive 1340

• Operates demonstration goods and passenger trains at Didcot.

6. Cultural Footnote: Inspiration for Percy

Multiple sources note that Trojan served as the basis for the character “Percy the Small Engine” in Thomas & Friends.

7. Technical Summary Table of locomotive 1340

8. Why Trojan Matters

For your heritage‑focused work, Trojan is significant because:

• It represents Victorian industrial locomotive design at its peak.

• It is one of the oldest surviving GWR‑numbered locomotives.

• Its long industrial life provides a rare continuity from dock shunting, through GWR absorption, to modern preservation.

• Its Didcot presence makes it a key educational exhibit—ideal for comparative guides on small shunters, industrial railways, and early GWR tank engines.

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My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

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