Locomotive No.8 John of Gaunt | Bure Valley Railway

Steam Locomotive No.8 – "John of Gaunt"

Locomotive John of Gaunt is a 2-6-2 ZB Class tank locomotive, painted in LNWR Blackberry Black. She was assembled in the Bure Valley Railway workshops at Aylsham Station during 1996/97, using components originally manufactured and supplied by Winson Engineering. Her outline design is based on the Vale of Rheidol Railway, with a mechanical chassis similar to locomotives No.6, No.7, and No.9.

No. 8's Build & Origins

Originally built as an oil-fired locomotive, she was first steamed on 19 December 1997. At that time, oil cost just 11p per litre, but the system proved noisy and inefficient, earning her the nickname Thunder (although no nameplates were ever carried). With oil prices rising sharply to 70p per litre, coal became the more practical option.

In late 2005, she began a major overhaul and conversion to coal firing, returning to service in July 2008. Further modifications in early 2010 reduced her cylinder size and enlarged steam passageways, solving previous steaming problems and making her far more efficient. She re-entered traffic in April 2010.

John of Gaunt

On 13 May 2014, the locomotive was officially named John of Gaunt by pupils of Aylsham’s John of Gaunt School. The name honours John of Gaunt (1340–1399), son of King Edward III and Lord of the Manor of Aylsham. Although never king himself, his son would become Henry IV. The name also maintains a railway link - Britannia Class Pacific No.70012, once based at Norwich Shed, also carried the name John O’Gaunt.

Technical details

Gauge: 15 inches
Length: 18 ft 2 in
Width: 4 ft 3 in
Height: 5 ft 11 in
Working Weight: 9.5 tons
Coal Capacity: 6 cwt
Water Capacity: 900 litres (198 gallons)
Wheel Arrangement: 2-6-2
Driving Wheel Diameter: 24 inches
Boiler Pressure: 180 psi
Boiler Diameter: 24 inches
Firebox Grate Area: 5.5 sq ft
Cylinder Size: 6.5 in diameter × 11 in stroke
Valve Diameter: 3 inches
Nominal Tractive Effort: 2,963 lbs
Valve Gear: Walschaerts
Livery: BR Black

Still Hard at Work on the Railway

Locomotive John of Gaunt is a distinctive member of, and owned by the Bure Valley Railway fleet, linking modern construction with local history. Today she continues to work passenger trains on the line, offering visitors a chance to see a unique engine in action.