I worked at Head Wrightsons from 1949 to 1966. I took this photograph in the car park outside their main offices in Thornaby. It shows a 1880s Works Locomotive and Trucks renovated by Bob Alexander Jr and Doug Ormston as part of their apprenticeship program in 1959.
Photograph and details courtesy of Philip Moore.
Picture Stockton Archive 
The locomotive is now at the back Preston park museum, unfortunately without the trucks which disappeared some years ago/
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Glad to hear that but sorry about the trucks. Just as well I took it with the trucks. I last remember seeing the locomotive on a roundabout going from Thornaby into Stockton. That was a long time ago and it probably was then put into Preston Park as you now say.
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I have just sent another photo which I took in 1975 at Preston Park – it had just one truck then.
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Nicknamed “coffee pots”,they were common in large factories,from the late 19th century onwards, mostly on narrow gauge rails, although this loco looks standard gauge. Some of the main line railway companies used them for various purposes. The apprentices seem to have made a good job of both Loco and wagons.
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If Bob Alexander is still alive he owns the garage near Victoria Bridge. I wonder what he would say about this photo?
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Hello Philip. Did you know my dad Tommy Dover? He worked atHead Wrightsons. He also used to take his car to Bob Alexander. Regards Sandra Dover
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Having thought a bit more I can remember they had it running as well. Not with steam but with compressed air
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