‘Wilbert’ as we have come to know him, was built by Hunslet, Leeds, in 1953. One of a number of “postwar” austerities, ordered by the National Coal Board. It was delivered in December that year to Rawnsley loco shed, Staffordshire for its first employment in the South Staffordshire coalfield and was painted a light green colour. Works number ‘3806’ led an average working life, moving around the coalfield to Cannock shed, and then West Cannock. At some point during its working career, it was fitted with non-standard ‘enclosed side’ steps for the running board.

The Austerity was acquired by a group of members from the Dean Forest Railway and was delivered to Parkend in 1976. Here ‘3806’ sat awaiting its turn to be restored, which was realised a few later, after its transfer to Norchard and ownership transferred to the Dean Forest Railway company – becoming the first locomotive to be owned by the railway. Now fitted with vacuum braking and pained in an attractive dark blue, lined red livery, ‘3806’ received its first name in August 1981, this was to be “G. B. Keeling” after the first chief mechanical engineer of the Severn and Wye Railway, which later was to become the Dean Forest Railway.

On the 13th of September 1987, the locomotive was renamed “Wilbert” In honour of the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, creator of the Railway series and Thomas the tank engine who was the Chairman of the Dean Forest Railway at the time. There was a small ceremony where Wilbert Awdry unveiled the new name to his friends, family and invited guests. In 1994, Christopher Awdry published book number 38 in the Railway series (the writing of which he had taken over from his Father) entitled “Wilbert the Forest Engine” which was four short stories about “Wilbert” visiting the Island of Sodor from his home railway in the Forest of Dean (another Austerity, “Sixteen” is described in this book which bears a striking resemblance to “Warrior, also located at the DFR and available in our main batch)

The engine continued to work on the DFR and out on loan, visiting the Swanage Railway, Weardale Railway and Peak Rail amongst others. The last boiler ticket expired in 2016 when Wilbert was placed in store pending overhaul. This overhaul started later in the year by the removal of parts, including the boiler but was soon sidetracked as the railway had more pressing issues to finance and there was no immediate requirement for another operational Austerity. The covid 19 pandemic placed the overhaul on hold indefinitely and Wilbert was shunted to the end of a siding. In 2021, there was a glimmer of hope in that the Dean Forest Railway Society had agreed to purchase 50% of the shares of the Wilbert from the Railway company and an overhaul would be subject to fundraising. With an estimated cost of over £100k this was to be no mean feat and sadly stalled again.

In 2024, we approached the Family of the Reverend Awdry to ask for their blessing to make a model of the locomotive bearing Wilbert’s name and it was suggested to them we could use the funds raised from the sales of the model to donate towards the real locomotive at the Dean Forest Railway. The family were in agreement that it would be a wonderful idea so discussions with the DFR society then started. Quotes were received for a full cosmetic (non-operational) overhaul and the railway agreed that following the overhaul, Wilbert would be placed in a prominent position at Norchard station along with interpretation boards to tell the story of Wilbert Awdry (the man) and Wilbert (the locomotive) and to welcome guests and visitors to the railway. We hope that by restoring Wilbert, he will continue to inspire future enthusiasts in the same way that many of us were inspired ourselves.