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Sentinel Waggon Works

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Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd
Company typePrivate company
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1875
Headquarters
Shrewsbury
,
United Kingdom
ProductsSteam-powered lorries, diesel lorries, buses, railway locomotives

Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd was a UK-based manufacturer located in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, specializing in the production of steam-powered lorries (steam wagons), railway locomotives, and later expanding into diesel-driven lorries, buses, and locomotives.

Alley & MacLellan, Sentinel Works, Jessie Street Glasgow

Established in 1875 at Polmadie, Glasgow, Alley & MacLellan operated until the 1950s. Their initial focus was on manufacturing valves and compressors for steam engines and marine vessels. In 1903, they acquired Simpson and Bibby from Horsehay, Shropshire, who were producers of steam road vehicles. By 1905, they commenced building steam road vehicles themselves and introduced a five-ton vertical-boiler steam wagon in 1906, equipped with a two-cylinder undertype engine and chain drive.

Around 1915, production of steam wagons was transferred to a newly constructed facility in Shrewsbury, run by a distinct company. In 1918, a third factory opened in Worcester dedicated to valve manufacturing. Both new plants were pre-assembled in Glasgow and staffed by relocated Scottish workers.

Alley & MacLellan maintained operations at their original Sentinel Works on Jessie Street, Glasgow through to the 1950s, producing compressors, valves, and other engineering components. The 'Sentinel' trademark continued to be linked with products from the Glasgow works well into the mid-20th century.

Relocation to Shrewsbury

The formation of Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd coincided with the transfer of steam wagon production to a new facility in Shrewsbury in 1915. The enterprise experienced multiple name changes connected to capital restructuring efforts aimed at resolving financial issues.

The initial steam wagon design from Alley & MacLellan remained mostly unchanged until the introduction of the acclaimed Sentinel Super model in 1923. Alongside steam wagons, the company also manufactured steam-powered railway locomotives and railcars for industrial and railway use.

In 1917, ownership passed to William Beardmore and Company.

Sentinel Waggon Works (1920) Ltd

After encountering financial setbacks, the company was restructured as Sentinel Waggon Works (1920) Ltd. The 1923 Sentinel 'Super' model was produced at a new Shrewsbury factory featuring a flow-line assembly process inspired by Henry Ford’s Highland Park Model T plant; this facility produced approximately 1,550 units.

Sentinel and Foden held leading positions in the steam vehicle market until legislative changes in the 1930s favored lighter lorries, with Sentinel outlasting many rivals.

In 1934, Sentinel unveiled the innovative S type steamer incorporating a single-acting four-cylinder underfloor engine coupled with an overhead worm-drive axle. From this design came the production of 3,750 Sentinel 'Standards' over seventeen years—the highest-selling steam lorry model ever made. These lighter vehicles featured modern cabs and set-back boilers and were available in four-, six-, and eight-wheel versions (S4, S6, S8). Despite these advancements, they could not compete with diesel trucks regarding ease of use and payload capacity and were gradually discontinued before the decade's end. Notably, about 100 "S" types were exported as late as 1950 to Argentina’s Río Turbio coal mine; it is reported that Sentinel never received payment for this shipment. Several of these wagons remain preserved in Argentina today.

In 1946, Thomas Hill entered into an agency agreement with Sentinel for diesel vehicle repair and maintenance services. By the following year, this arrangement expanded to include sales and servicing of steam locomotives under Thomas Hill’s representation.

Sentinel (Shrewsbury) Ltd

In 1947, the firm was renamed Sentinel (Shrewsbury) Ltd and introduced a new series of diesel trucks. Despite their robust engineering, sales decreased throughout the 1950s, resulting in the discontinuation of lorry manufacturing by 1956. Rolls-Royce purchased the facility to focus on diesel engine production, while Sentinel’s principal dealer, North Cheshire Motors from Warrington, established Transport Vehicles (Warrington) Ltd in 1957 to produce designs based on Sentinel models under the TVW brand.

By 1963, Thomas Hill's renewed their locomotive partnership but relinquished the diesel vehicle dealership to concentrate exclusively on steam locomotive activities.

Rolls-Royce agree to build diesel locomotives

Although initially hesitant, Rolls-Royce consented at the close of 1957 to develop and manufacture a diesel locomotive matching the weight and power of their successful steam model. Thomas Hill's contributed to the design and development process and assumed exclusive distribution rights.

Last steam locomotives

The final pair of Sentinel steam locomotives were delivered in 1958. Despite strong performance from two newly designed steam receiver locomotives, Dorman Long opted to transition towards diesel units. The last two steam receiver locomotives were constructed but never handed over; all four were ultimately converted into diesel-hydraulic machines.

Diesel production commences

The first Sentinel diesel locomotive prototype was finalized in early 1959 and underwent successful trials on the former Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Railway. By the end of that year, 17 units had been sold and delivered, with manufacturing capacity reaching up to four locomotives monthly.

By 1963, four variations of Sentinel diesel locomotives were available: beginning with a 34-ton 0-4-0 powered by a Rolls-Royce C6SFL six-cylinder engine rated at (later increased to ), followed by a 48-ton 0-6-0 rod-coupled model equipped with a Rolls-Royce C8SFL eight-cylinder engine producing (later uprated to ). Between 1963 and 1966, five 0-6-0s and eighteen 0-4-0s were supplied to Manchester Ship Canal Company for use on its private railway network.

In 1966, Portuguese Railways acquired thirty-six 42-ton 0-6-0 locomotives fitted with C8TFL Mk IV engines for shunting purposes, classified as CP Class 1150.

While these Sentinels demonstrated reliability for heavy-duty tasks, demand increased for more powerful locomotives—particularly within the steel sector. By late 1963, the product line expanded to include a 74-ton 0-8-0 powered by twin C8SFL engines and a 40-ton 0-4-0 featuring a C8SFL engine.

Sentinel Steelman

At Shrewsbury, a shaft-driven 0-6-0 locomotive was developed utilizing the new DV8T engine. Stewart and Lloyds’ mineral division at Corby, which operated over twenty mostly Austerity steam locomotives, expressed considerable interest. The Steelman was delivered to Corby in late 1967 after approximately two years of delay. Following a successful prototype trial, Stewart and Lloyds placed orders for three additional units, while Richard Thomas and Baldwins at Scunthorpe ordered one. With intentions to replace more than twenty steam locomotives, prospects for Steelman appeared favorable.

However, British Railways offered Stewart and Lloyds twenty-six second-hand Class 14 diesel-hydraulic locomotives built at Swindon, featuring Paxman engines coupled with Voith transmissions. These units fulfilled requirements at substantially lower costs than Steelman. As a result, no further Steelman locomotives were produced at Shrewsbury.

In 1979, ICI Billingham required two heavy-duty locomotives to replace aging Yorkshire Janus models. After reviewing industrial and steelworks options and consulting domestic manufacturers, they commissioned an updated Sentinel Steelman design; two units were delivered by late 1981.

By that period, UK sales of Sentinel locomotives had fallen below ten annually. Their principal overseas achievement remained the licensed assembly of thirty-six 0-6-0 units by Sorefame for Portuguese Railways during 1965/66, known as the CP Class 1150.

Steam wagons

  • Alley & MacLellan five-ton steam wagon (1906) – Sentinel "Standard"
  • Super Sentinel (1923)
  • Sentinel DG4 (1928)
  • Sentinel DG6 (1927)
  • Sentinel DG8 (1929) – the first twin-steer, four-axle truck
  • Sentinel S4 (1933)
  • Sentinel S6 (1933)
  • Sentinel S8 (1933)

Diesel lorries

  • Sentinel HSG (1938)
  • Sentinel DV44 (1947)
  • Sentinel DV46 (1949)
  • Sentinel DV66 (1950)
  • Sentinel aircraft tug

Diesel buses

  • Sentinel 32-seat bus (1924)
  • Sentinel HSG (1935)
  • Sentinel SLC4-40 (1948)
  • Sentinel STC6-44 (1950)
  • Sentinel SL chassis (1951)

Railway vehicles

Most locomotives and railcars utilized standard steam lorry boilers paired with engine units.

CE Class

Centre Engine

BE Class

Balanced Engine

DE Class

Double Engine

100 hp steam locomotives

200 hp steam locomotives

Railcars

  • The Jersey Railways & Tramways acquired a railcar in 1923 for the St Helier to St Aubin route.
  • In 1925, the New Zealand Railways Department added one Sentinel-Cammell steam railcar, part of their RM class.
  • Between 1925 and 1932, the London and North Eastern Railway purchased eighty Sentinel steam railcars; four units were delivered to the LNER-managed Cheshire Lines Committee.
  • In 1928, two articulated Sentinel-Cammell steam railcars were bought by Palestine Railways for local service; each consisted of two cars connected over three bogies. Due to limited adaptability for passenger volume changes, these railcars were converted into conventional coaches by 1945.
  • The Tasmanian Government Railways received two single-engine Sentinel-Cammell railcars (SP Class) in 1931, followed by two more in 1934 and five twin-engine oil-fired boilers in 1937 to address maintenance issues. Diesel railcars eventually replaced them in the 1950s after boilers and engines were removed.
  • In 1933, the Southern Railway introduced a Sentinel-Cammell steam railcar on the Devil's Dyke branch in East Sussex; despite operational success, it was too small for demand and withdrawn by 1940.
  • Paraguay's Ferrocarril Central del Paraguay acquired three oil-fired railcars with trailers in 1935 for suburban routes between Asunción and Ypacarai.
  • In 1951, ten articulated steam railcars were purchased by Egyptian National Railways, each comprising three carriage bodies over four bogies; one unit is preserved by the Quainton Railway Society at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, England.

The Doble Shunter

The Double Locomotive

Sentinel engineered a distinctive locomotive for Dorman Long named "Princess," which utilized an articulated setup consisting of two linked 0-6-0 chassis. One segment contained the driver's cab, a 5-drum oil-fired Woolnough boiler, and a pair of engines; the other housed the fuel and water tanks along with two additional engines, summing to . Although it was well-received by operators, this design remained a singular creation.

The Gyro Locomotive

The NCB Gyro or Electrogyro Locomotive was constructed on a 4-wheeled 0-4-0 frame and featured two "gyro units"—each a 3-ton horizontal flywheel sealed within hydrogen-filled enclosures—produced by Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon of Switzerland. Each flywheel was linked to a vertically oriented three-phase squirrel-cage electric motor/generator. Energy was supplied only when stationary through pneumatically extended contact arms connecting to fixed charging stations, allowing the gyros to rotate between 3,000 rpm (fully charged) and 1,800 rpm (discharged). Recharging took approximately 2½ minutes, providing around 30 minutes of operation at speeds up to . Weighing 34 tons, this model was designed for flameproof and emission-free underground use by the National Coal Board at Seaton Delaval from 1958. Despite its effectiveness, it was withdrawn due to changes at the site and limited operational range, later converted into a diesel-hydraulic locomotive in April 1965.

The Receiver Locomotives

The Receiver Locomotives were specialized machines developed solely for Dorman Long, inspired by the principles of a Fireless locomotive.

Steam locomotives operated by UK mainline companies

Road Vehicles

As of 2008, around 117 Sentinel steam wagons and tractors remain preserved within the UK. A prominent example is Elizabeth (registration GT2827), a 1931 DG6P steam lorry later adapted into a bus, which served tourist routes in Whitby and Weston-super-Mare before entering private collections. Sentinel road vehicles frequently feature at UK steam fairs and are also conserved in other countries such as Australia.

United Kingdom

Numerous steam and diesel[1] locomotives are preserved at heritage railways including the Elsecar Heritage Railway, Middleton Railway, Foxfield Light Railway, and Chasewater Railway.

Sentinel locomotives preserved within the United Kingdom[2]
All steam locomotives are standard gauge, four-wheel, vertical boiler geared tank locomotives (4wVBGT) unless otherwise specified.
Name or Number Works Number Year Built Class Preservation Location Notes Status Image
6155 | 1925 | Conversion | Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire | Largely intact | Stored |
6185 | 1925 | Conversion | Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Shropshire | Missing majority of components | Stored |
GWR No. 12
Isebrook | 6515 | 1926 | Y1 | Buckinghamshire Railway Centre | | Operational |
7109 | 1927 | 200 hp |Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust | | Operational |
7232 | 1927 | |Keighley and Worth Valley Railway (Private ownership) [3] | | Operational |
6807 |1928| Conversion | Elsecar Heritage Railway | Converted from a 1900 Manning Wardle locomotive | Operational |
7492 | 1928 | | Avon Valley Railway | | Operational |
7701 | 1927 | | Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway
(Loaned from NGRM)| Originally built for 2 ft 11 gauge; currently set to 2 ft 6 following Welshpool railway use.
8024|1929| Conversion | Ribble Steam Railway
LNER No. 54|8837|1933|Y1|Middleton Railway
9365|1946 Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust Awaiting restoration
9366|1945 Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Operational
'9369'|'1946' Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust Awaiting restoration
'9370'|'1946' Great Central Railway (heritage railway) Awaiting overhaul
'9373'|'1947'|'100 hp'|'Ribble Steam Railway' Awaiting overhaul
'9374'|'1947'|'100 hp'|'Jersey'|'Components used for rebuilding a Sentinel railcar'|'Dismantled'|
'9376'|'1947' Elsecar Steam Railway Dismantled
9387 1948 Used by Roads Reconstruction at Whatley Quarry until circa 1971; exhibited at Frome; cosmetically restored at Severn Valley Railway; on static display since March 2016.|Static display|
'9418' Buckinghamshire Railway Centre Awaiting overhaul
9535 1952 Foxfield Railway Awaiting overhaul
'9537'|'1952'|'100 hp'|'Barry Tourist Railway' Operational
'9559'|'1953'|'100 hp' North Tyneside Steam Railway[5] Awaiting overhaul
'9561' '100 hp' Coatbridge, Strathclyde Awaiting restoration
9593 Parts repurposed for building a Sentinel steam lorry|'Dismantled'
'9596'|'1955' Private site in Yaxham Under restoration
'9599'|'1956' Elsecar Heritage Railway Operational
'9622'|'1958' East Kent Light Railway Awaiting overhaul
'9627'|'1957'|'100 hp' Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Awaiting overhaul
'9628'|'1957' Summerlee Heritage Park Awaiting overhaul
'9629'|'1957'|'100 hp' National Railway Museum, York On display
'9631'|'1958'|'100 hp' Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway Awaiting overhaul
'9632'|'1957' Chasewater Railway Undergoing overhaul
'10218'|'1965'|'325 hp' East Somerset Railway Operational
"10143"|"1963"|"650 hp"|"Avon Valley Railway"|"Originally constructed for Longmoor Military Railway"[6]|Stored out of service|

South America

At the railway equipment facility of Amsted Maxion in Cruzeiro, SP (Brazil), three Sentinel steam locomotives were in operation. Manufactured in 1931 for gauge tracks, these 0-4-0T engines included two units that remained active in commercial service until 2014, representing the final phase of steam locomotive usage in Brazil. Following their retirement, the ABPF (Associação Brasileira de Preservação Ferroviária) secured ownership after negotiations lasting more than a year. These locomotives are currently preserved at ABPF’s workshops in Cruzeiro, located near Amsted Maxion’s premises:

  • Sentinel #8398 – originally SPR No. 166 and later EFSJ #166; it kept its number after 1960 at FNV and still carries No. 166.
  • Sentinel #8399 – initially SPR No. 167 and subsequently EFSJ #167; this locomotive also retained its number post-1960 at FNV and remains identified as No. 167.
  • Sentinel #8400 – formerly SPR No. 168 and EFSJ #168; it maintained its number after 1960 at FNV and Amsted Maxion. After an unsuccessful attempt to convert it to diesel power, it was withdrawn from service and dismantled on site.

OO gauge models

Dapol manufactures Y1 and Y3 steam locomotives available in multiple liveries such as BR, LNER, LMS, and NCB.

Hornby provides two versions of Sentinel diesel locomotives in a variety of liveries.

0-4-0 DH

  • R3179 ESSO 4wDM Diesel, Sentinel Locomotive, 'Cattewater'
  • R3180 Tarmac 4wDM Diesel, Sentinel Locomotive
  • R3353 Balfour Beatty, Sentinel Diesel
  • R30009 London Carriers International, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Jean'
  • R30010 Hitachi, Sentinel, 0-4-0, 'Chiaki Ueda'

0-6-0 DH

  • R30083 Port of Bristol Authority, Sentinel, 0-6-0, 39
  • R30084 MSC, Sentinel, 0-6-0, 3001
  • R30085 NCB, Sentinel, 0-6-0, Stanton No. 57
  • R30306 London Transport, Sentinel, 0-6-0, DL. 81
  • R30307 Potter Logistics, Sentinel, 0-6-0, 'Pride of the Fens'

O gauge models

Dapol also offers Y1 and Y3 steam locomotive models in various liveries including BR, LNER, LMS, and NCB.

See also

Sources

  • Ian Allan ABC of British Railways Locomotives, 1948 edition

Bibliography

External links

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