ROD 2-8-0
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The Railway Operating Division (ROD) ROD 2-8-0 is a type of 2-8-0 steam locomotive which was the standard British locomotive during the First World War.
Initially the Railway Operating Division of the Royal Engineers, expecting a quick victory requisitioned various locomotives from various companies but as the war dragged on it became apparent that they needed their own standard locomotive. As a result they adopted the Great Central Railway (GCR) Class 8K 2-8-0 designed by John G. Robinson.
An order for 325 locomotives was placed in February 1917, and followed up by an order for 196 more in 1918 to keep industry going in the aftermath of the war.
After the war, many were loaned to Britain's railways, and then several were sold:
| Company | No. acquired | New class |
|---|---|---|
| GWR | 50(?) | GWR 3000 Class |
| LMS | 75 | LMS ex-ROD 2-8-0 |
| LNER | 273 | LNER Class O4 |
Some of the LMS engines found their way to China. And some engines were shipped to Australia, where three of them survive.
During the Second World War the War Department intended to readopt the ROD 2-8-0 and several were requisitioned but later adopted the more modern LMS Stanier Class 8F instead.
[edit] Preservation
As stated above there are three of these engines in Australia.
- Two are stored at Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum Limited
- One is a Great Central Railway engine and the other is a North British Locomotive Company engine
- The third engine is undergoing restoration on the Richmond Vale Railway
- This engine is a Great Central Railway engine
