Isebrook, Sentinel works number 6515, has had an interesting life and is one of the few Sentinels to have seen service in preservation.
Built in 1926 6515 was sent to Swindon for testing by the Great Western as GWR No.12. The loco was fitted with vacuum train brakes and steam carriage warming connections for trials in branch line service on the Malmesbury branch, where No.12 proved to be underpowered. She was returned to Sentinels at Shrewsbury where a larger boiler was fitted, being tested on the nearby Shropshire & Montgomeryshire line before returning for further trails on the Malmesbury line, now able to attain 38mph with the branch train of three 4-wheel coaches. However the Sentinel lacked the reserve of power available from a conventional 517 class 0-4-2T for hauling additional traffic like milk vans and horse boxes which were often attached to branchline passenger trains. The loco was also tested on light shunting duties Around Swindon works and at the GWRs Brentford goods yard in London, however proved to have little advantage over the Motor-Rail petrol-mechanical locos already working in engineering depots, or more capable conventional locomotives for more arduous duties.
6515 was returned to Sentinels in 1927 and used as the works shunter at Shrewsbury for many years, with a further 'mainline' trial with the LMS in 1929. In October 1934 Sentinel 6515 was sold to Thomas E Grey Ltd. for industrial service at Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire where the engine was numbered 2 and named Isebrook after the nearby town. The loco worked until 1958 when a more modern Sentinel was purchased as a replacement, following which the boiler and drive line parts were removed from 6515, the chassis and body being used as a goods brake van until condemned in 1972. The chassis and remaining mechanicals were purchased for preservation, arriving at the Quainton Road base of the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre on May 31st 1972. Restoration of 6515 progressed over seven years, requiring a reconditioned boiler and engine unit in addition to replacement of much of the bodywork, culminating in the successful steaming on August 26th, 1979.
To allow 6515 to be used on passenger trains vacuum train brake equipment has been reinstated and Sentinel 6515 has operated on several heritage railways in addition to performing demonstration duties at Quainton Road. Isebrook was withdrawn for overhaul again in 2013 (latest information shown on the BRC website).
Sentinel Specification.
- 3 body types
- 2 chassis options
- Heavyweight Diecast chassis
- All wheel drive (Single motor)
- All wheel pickup
- Separate detail parts
- In-line brake shoes
- Sprung buffers
- 3-link coupling chain and hook
- Option to fit Dapol coupling pocket
- Representation of chain drive to axles.
- Turned & blackened wheels to O gauge standard
- Firebox flicker
- DCC 21 pin decoder socket
- Provision for speaker
- ‘Positionable’ door
- Fine standard of separate detail parts.
- Whistle options
- Etched detail
- bodyside grills
- chimney detail
- Lamp brackets
- Large amount of interior detail.