WOTO is a Bagnall saddle tank. Built in Stafford, the loco was ex-works in July 1924, having been ordered in May of that year. This very fast delivery was due to Bagnall’s practice of laying down key components in advance. The cost was £875 (equivalent to around £45,000 today). WOTO worked at the BICC cable works at Belverdere, near Erith, Kent. The railway at this location was built to 3’6″ gauge. The name “WOTO” is formed from the initials of the Callendar company founder (William Ormiston) and his eldest son (Thomas Octavius).
The railway was used to move raw materials around the site, and also to move drums of cable to a wharf on the Thames where the cables would be loaded onto ships for onward distribution. The locos were converted to burn fuel oil, with rather unattractive oil tanks being added into the cab spaces.
The BICC railway survived until 1968, when the two remaining locos – WOTO and SIR TOM – were sold to an individual who stored them in a yard near Romford. The loco was then acquired to Patrick Keef, who re-gauged the loco to the more common 2’0″ gauge – as used at Apedale – and restored the loco. WOTO moved to Apedale on 22 October 2024.
