The Southern’s USA Tanks

These Class 3F 0-6-0 short wheelbase tanks were used for negotiating bends with tight curves in dockland settings, most notably at Southampton. They were built during the Second World War by the USA Transportation Corps and shipped to Britain for use by the War Department. Ultimately 14 locomotives were used by the Southern Region and numbered 30061-74.

John Dyer visited Southampton docks on 29/8/1961 and found Nos. 30061 and 30070 at work there. I saw ten members of the class during BR days, including the four examples that have since been preserved.