'Robert' 0-6-0 - Great Eastern Road, Stratford, London, UK
N 51° 32.469 W 000° 00.159
30U E 707845 N 5714264
This locomotive is parked on a paved area outside Stratford Regional Station. The locomotive, named 'Robert', has been on display in several locations but this is now planned to be its final location.
Waymark Code: WMFEGF
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/07/2012
Views: 5
A plaque tells us:
Robert
This 0-6-0 saddletank locomotive was
built in 1933 by the Avonside Engine Company of Bristol for the Lamport
Ironstone Mines Railway in Northamptonshire.
After the railway closed in 1969, Robert
worked on a number of heritage railways before being acquired by the London
Docklands Development Corporation as an example of a twentieth century
industrial steam locomotive and was displayed at the site of the former
Beckton Gas Works, once the largest producer of 'Town Gas' in
Europe.
In 2000, his new owners, the London
Borough of Newham, moved Robert to Stratford station where he stood until 2008
before making way for the expansion of passenger facilities ready for London
2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Whilst the upgrading work continued
Robert was displayed at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel and Waked
Colne in Essex where he was repainted in Colchester Crimson. He returned in
2011 and continues to commemorate the area's long association with railways
which began when the first station was opened here by the Eastern Counties
Railway in 1839.
The London 2012 website [visit
link] tells us:
"Landmark steam locomotive Robert the Engine back home
as London 2012 transport improvements edge towards the finish line
A steam
locomotive called Robert today resumed its rightful place outside Stratford
Station – signalling that work delivering the transport infrastructure required
for the London 2012 Games is drawing to a close.
Robert the Engine was hoisted and driven to Colchester
for renovation in early 2008 by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) after 78
years of pigeons, rain and wind left the 1933 loco worn and
weathered.
The ODA offered to repaint Robert – a 38-tonne saddle
locomotive owned by Newham Council - so that work could start on building of a
new entrance to the station, funded by the ODA.
Robert’s return signals that the overall transport
investment required for Games-time is on track to complete this
summer.
Stratford Station, which will be the main transport hub
for the Games, is benefitting from more than £200 million investment. Plans to
treble capacity by 2012 are being achieved as lines are improved - allowing
longer and faster trains - while new platforms are finished and the station is
reconfigured to maximise the increased numbers using it.
During London 2012 the station will be able to handle
120,000 people during morning peaks as over 200 trains pass through or stop
there each hour.
Infrastructure upgrades at Stratford include five new
stations as part of the DLR extension between Stratford International and
Canning Town, a new Central Line platform allowing dual-side opening; upgrades
to the East London, North London and Lea Valley Lines and a raft of improvements
including new lifts, signage and remodelled subways and
concourses.
Hugh Sumner, ODA Director of Transport, said: 'Around
£6.5 billion has been invested in transport associated with the Games so that
extra demand can be met. This investment will ensure improvements are seen
before, during and after London 2012.
'In addition to upgrades to infrastructure and services,
it is important to recognise softer Legacy benefits. The return of Robert the
Engine will mean he can be enjoyed by the community for years to come as a
much-loved local landmark.'
Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: 'Newham is fast
becoming the best connected destination in London with a host of transport links
leading to and from the borough. It is also set to become one of the most
desirable destinations as we have the London 2012 Games and Westfield Stratford
City on our doorstep.
'To have Robert the Engine back in pristine condition
not only reflects the borough’s past as a hotbed of industry, but shows we are
ready to embrace the future and welcome the world to Newham in
2012.'"