ROCKET's First Day of Service - Article from the Sentinel Magazine 2003

(by Dave Angell)

Well, have you seen our new arrival on the locomotive scene?

A really beautiful engine, worth a visit to the railway just to see it! Surprisingly, another Peckett, following the last two years of Northern Gas Board and previously our own Ironbridge No 3.
This year we have makers number 1722 from the Somerset and Dorset loco company. Painted in distinctive S & D livery of dark blue and cream lining a visual treat for all, even those who have to keep her clean!

Built in 1926, in Bristol and last used in Courtaulds of Coventry, at an open day in 1971 before retiring to the Birmingham Railway Museum. 1722 then became part of the privately owned “Shropshire Collection”, and was then sold to the present owners who have had her fully restored to her present condition.

​One of our members was at Tyseley, on business, on Good Friday morning, where 1722 had been restored, when our requirement for a loco was discussed (our planned original loco had fallen through at the last minute). By 5 PM that day 1722 was on the rails at Telford! Not a bad days work.

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​(Photo courtesy of Dave A, showing ROCKET's first day in service at TSR on 20th April 2003)