First, search for all records that match your criteria by using the Search Field of your choice. Be careful just how few characters you use and read the notes below first! If a list showing basic information is all you want, then you're done. However, if you want to see the full record containing more fields and most recent observations etc, just click on the 'Builder' link given. If you can provide new or updated information, please e-mail me at mickm(at)uklocos.com. Click here for Home page.

If you don't find or are not sure what you are looking for, try the Wild Card Search below as it searches for your criteria on ALL fields. Then, re-submit specific information, such as 'Works Number' into the search box above to obtain the loco information.
Do NOT include the punctuation mark '. If your query is a location like O'Connor, remove the punctuation mark & letter(s) before it and re-submit your query - in this case using connor, or just conn as the Location.

Results of the 'Wild Card' search will appear here in order, first insert your Criteria.

NOTES:

Builders Name:
Some company names are slightly shortened, but searching for Drewry will match on Drewry, Baguley/Drewry and Drewry/Vulcan etc.

Works Number:
Searching for 700 will match on 70013, 9700 and 3-5700-A4 etc.

Year Built:
A search for 194 will match on 1940, 1941 etc. to 1949.

Wheels - Arrangement, Power & Transmission:
A Whyte system is used for all locos e.g. 0-6-0DH for a diesel engine with hydraulic transmission, 0-4-0T for a steam tank engine etc. Mainline diesels are given in the continental form such as Bo-Bo. A quick search on the field will show the general form used, though the type of cylinders (OC or IC) is not up-to date.

Gauge:
Generally only locomotives above 15 inch gauge are available for search and if you want to search on gauge, type in the actual gauge (eg 1ft 3in or 4ft 81/2 in) but remember that there are too many standard guage locos to give the search any value. Abbreviations for feet (') and inches (") must not be used as it will produce an error report.

Number:
Many locomotives carried more than one number during their career. This field contains the latest number carried, except in the case of ex-BR locos, where the original number is shown. A search will locate all records which contain the criteria you specify.

TOPS Number:
This is usually the original TOPS number that BR gave to it's diesel locos and by which they are generally known.

Name:
A search for prince will match on both Black Prince and Princess.

Map Reference:
Map References are in the format of two letters followed by a space, then six figures eg SK 123456. It is often enough just to use the letters with the first, or first and second numbers.

Location:
A search will return all records containing the criteria specified eg. a search for norfolk will match both North Norfolk Railway and Mid-Norfolk Railway, but it will be useful to find out exactly what the location has been called in the database, as some abbreviations have been used.
This field is the quite problematical, with locos moving between sites for overhaul, rail tours, loan, hire etc. If you want to locate a particular loco prior to a visit, take note of the Comments and do contact the site to confirm current whereabouts if it's particularly important.
Be very aware that the location given for a locomotive is no guide to ownership, nor to where it's normally based e.g. Harry Needle's locos could be stored somewhere, preserved somewhere else or on hire (or being serviced) at public, private or industrial locations.

County:
Counties outside England like Ayrshire are written with the Country first eg. Scotland Ayrshire, Ireland Cork etc.

ALSO:
Once the list of records has been returned, additional fields of information can be made available in tabular form, more suitable for printing, by clicking on the Builder field. Some fields, such as "Date of last record update" are being considered for inclusion in the database. However, it is felt that this information would overcrowd the search results.

If you are sending in an update for a locomotive, please try and refer to it by Builder and Works Number. A locomotive number is satisfactory for ex-BR locos however, because it's generally a unique number. No.1 for an industrial loco is most unhelpful, though a location will help a little!

Every effort is made to keep this database of live steam, diesel and electric locos up-to-date, but there can be no guarantee that records are 100% accurate since locos frequently move around for overhaul, loan and hire, industrial hire in particular.