British Motor Corporation (Steel Company of Wales) 0-6-0ST No. 'Victor' (403)
Haverthwaite, Cumbria, UK 		Location: Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
Status: Operational
Posted: Feb 4, 2026 @ 19:02:47 by Russell Newman
The ex Steel Company of Wales and British Motor Corporation Bagnall built 0-6-0ST Works No. 2996 "Victor", is returning to visit the West Somerset Railway for their 50th anniversary. As it was "Victor" that hauled the very first passenger train on the offical opening of the West Somerset Railway back in 1976. As part of its visit "Victor" will will take centre stage at their ‘50th anniversary event’ from the 28th and 29th of March 2026 where it will pull a recreation of the first WSR public service as it did in 1976, 50 years on to the minute. This event will also see multiple recreations of scenes not seen for 5 decades across the WSR, with these representing major milestones of those early days of there history. Also "Victor" will be staying on at the West Somerset Railway to take part in their Spring Steam Spectacular from the 1st to the 4th of May 2026.
Posted: Mar 15, 2022 @ 15:03:08 by Russell Newman
The ex Steel Company of Wales and British Motor Corporation Bagnall built 0-6-0ST Works No. 2996 "Victor" is set to visit the North Tyneside Steam Railway to be reuinited with sister Bagnall built 0-6-0ST Works No. 2994 "Vulcan" for the first time since the 1970s during their last time together at the West Somerset Railway. The pair will run at a special Gala weekend for the two locomotives on from the 30th of April to the 2nd of May 2022.
Posted: Aug 8, 2021 @ 13:08:16 by Russell Newman
The former Steel Company of Wales and British Motor Corporation Bagnall built 0-6-0ST Works No. 2996 "Victor" will now visit the North Tyneside Steam Railway in May 2022. Where it will be paired with sister Bagnall built 0-6-0ST Works No. 2994 "Vulcan" based at the North Tyneside Steam Railway for the first time in over 30 years.
Posted: Jan 10, 2020 @ 13:01:29 by Russell Newman
The former British Motor Corporation Bagnall built 0-6-0ST No. 403 "Victor" is to be reunited with sister Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 401 "Thomas Burt" formerly "Vulcan" at the North Tyneside Steam Railway this May Bank holiday weekend from the 8th to 10th of May 2020.
Posted: Mar 8, 2016 @ 15:03:31 by Robin R Beck
WB 2996 has just finished an overhaul at Haverthwaite and is back in action
Posted: Mar 9, 2006 @ 09:03:08 by Steve Frost

This is an interesting example of the last word in UK industrial steam, although not the last to be built by a long way. It featured improvements over earlier types, aimed at making maintenance easier, like outside cylinders and valve gear, roller bearings throughout (including the valve gear, coupling rods, big ends, etc) and a rocking grate to make ash disposal easier, too. 'Victor' was one of a pair used at the motor works of the British Motor Corporation.Compare it with the Hunslet 18 inch 'Austerity' types that are much more numerous (and of later build in some cases) to see the difference.

A sister loco can be seen in Northumberland on the North Tyneside Railway - No 401 'Thomas Burt MP'.