Art by Daniel David Snell
Aveling and Porter were best noted for steam road vehicles such as traction engines and rollers. Their rare railway engines are thus very bizarre-looking hybrids of the basic road design, rather low-slung with cylinders mounted on the boiler and huge flywheels connecting the drive train. “The Blue Circle” TJ Class 2-2-0WT, works no 9449, was built in 1926 at A&P’s works in Rochester, Kent for the Holborough Cement Co, later Blue Circle Cement. On withdrawal in 1962, presented to the Bluebell, which bestowed the present name. After a long hiatus and heavy boiler repairs, arrived at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre in Quainton near Aylesbury in 1997. “The Blue Circle” is thought to be the last traction engine-type loco built for the standard gauge, and one of only two such engines on rails. Currently in service at Quainton, a very active preservation centre, which also holds many Thomas events.
Collector's Corner:| Classic ERTL model of Fergus | LC Wooden Fergus from Amazon UK and US | LC Take-Along Fergus from Amazon UK and US |
 |
 |
 |
Spencer<---- |
---->Arthur |