NCB1 West Cannock 0-6-0ST No. 'Wilbert'
Norchard, Gloucestershire, UK 		Location: Dean Forest Railway
Status: Cosmetic Restoration
Abbreviation Expansion English
1 NCB National Coal Board National Coal Board
Posted: May 12, 2025 @ 14:05:02 by Russell Newman
As part of the 80th anniversary of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends making their debut in the Railway Series books by the Rev. W. Awdry. The ex NCB West Cannock, Hunslet built Austerity 0-6-0ST Works No. 3806 "Wilbert", after the Rev. W. Awdry himself and also the famous Thomas The Tank Engine Character "Wibert the Forest Engine", is to have cosmetic restoration carried out as an appeal has been started by the model railway maker Accurascale UK by selling limited edition model Wilbert locomotives, which they will donate the proceeds to the restoration. To cosmetically restore "Wilbert", they need to raise £7.500. Details for this can be found on Accurascale UK’s website and social media pages.
Posted: Nov 3, 2022 @ 11:11:02 by Russell Newman
The ex NCB West Cannock Hunslet built Austerity 0-6-0ST Works No. 3806 "Wilbert" is currently in storage awating her next 10 overhaul to be carried out.
Posted: Feb 26, 2021 @ 09:02:43 by Russell Newman
The Dean Forest Railway Society announced that they have purchased 50% ownership of the ex NCB West Cannock Hunslet built Austerity 0-6-0ST Works No. 3806 "Wilbert" in agreement with the Forest of Dean Railway Limited. Which the Society will now take responsibility for fundraising to finally progress a heavy overhaul of the locomotive, which was withdrawn from service in early 2016. Built in 1953 as one of 485 ‘Austerity’ locomotives built by Hunslet between 1943 and 1964 she was one of the first steam locomotives bought for use on the preserved Dean Forest Railway from the National Coal Board in its early days of preservation in 1976. It originally "G.B. Keeling" in 1981 but was renamed "Wibert" after the author of Thomas The Tank Engine Storys and was featured in them as the famous Thomas The Tank Engine Character "Wibert the Forest Engine" and even carries the livery of him in real life which children love it at Days out with Thomas events.
Posted: Mar 20, 2017 @ 18:03:23 by Russell Newman
The Hunslet Austerity Saddle Tank "Wilbert" (aka Wilbert the Forest Engine from the Thomas The Tank Engine books) is currently undergoing boiler repair work.