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Longmoor Military Railway number 600 Gordon is a preserved British steam locomotive. It was built during World War II to the War Department "Austerity" 2-10-0 design by the North British Locomotive Co. at its Hyde Park Works in Glasgow in 1943, and was the last steam locomotive owned by the British Army. The middle driving wheels of the class have no flange, to ease turning on tighter tracks. Number 600 was only the second engine to emerge from a class that eventually numbered 150 engines.
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Naming
The Locomotive was named in honour of the Royal Engineers' most famous General, Charles Gordon ("Gordon of Khartoum").
Post-war service
After the war it was used by the Royal Engineers on the Longmoor Military Railway in Hampshire, UK. When the LMR closed in 1969 it was preserved on the Severn Valley Railway, arriving there in 1972 and operating on and from 29 July of that year. In May 1980 it took part in the Locomotive Parade at Rocket 150, the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway at Rainhill.
Current status
As of 2005 it awaits overhaul, but has been given a cosmetic repaint and placed in The Engine House museum adjoining Highley, along with several other steam locomotives. Gordon has also served as Gordon the Big Engine from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends as part of SVR's former Day out with Thomas events.
On 25 July 2008 this locomotive was formally handed-over by the Army to the Severn Valley Railway, who had been looking after it in a caretaker capacity.