Manning Wardle Worksplate Sold at Auction

At the Great Central Railwayana Auction held on 3 October 2009, the worksplate from Lynton & Barnstaple Railway loco No.1362 Exe sold for £6300.

When delivered new from Manning Wardle each of the three locos were fitted with a pair of these - one to each cabside. When the Southern took over the railway in the 1920's the worksplates were removed and replaced by Eastleigh Works plates. Exe becoming E160

After the line closed in 1935 all the locos were sold at auction on 13 November 1935, with Exe fetching the lowest price at just  £34.  She was broken up a few days later by J Cashmore Ltd.  So this worksplate is a rare survivor indeed.

Described in the Great Central Railwayana Catalogue as "engraved brass oval, 107/8"x6" [sic], the front polished, the back completely untouched. "MANNING WARDLE & Co, No 1362, LEEDS 1897".