The COMPLETE History of Wilbert - RWS Research #4

A quick look at the life and times of Hunslet 3806 'Wilbert', and the links with the namesake Rev. W. Awdry.

Photo Credits:
1:20 Gordon Edgar
2:12 Martin Smith
3:26 David Hann
3:38 Mark Sampson
3:45 David Ward
3:54 Richard Pryke
3:50 JBT Evans
3:59 WarrenWHU40
4:04 Mick Cottam
4:06 Andy Cole

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[pk]

4:00 this visual is weird as all hell within the context of the RWS.
he's been beheaded, he's covered in weeds. exactly how it feels to wait for a doctor's appointment

[joshuaW]

I learned so much about Wilbert today. Can’t wait to see the next character.

[thehistorian]

In my mind I always thought that 16 and the Austerity Engine were 2 extra Hunslets that were preserved instead of 2 of the 70 preserved members (like there are 2 more Caledonian 812's or 1 more A1) or even that 16 and the Austerity are one and the same. Overall I like how you incorporated Wilbert's real life biography into the context of the Railway Series.

[thomaseadbhardmcqueen]

This was a fun video to watch. Please keep making videos like this. I could see this series really taking off

[oldironproductions]

I love these kind of videos you make diving into the history of fictional characters that once existed in real life. It would be cool to see you do other characters such as Duck, Oliver, and Toby since they have numbers of real life locomotives or maybe characters like Daisy or Mavis since we don’t know what their BR numbers are.

[allmotivepowers]

In my opinion, the Austerity Engine is No.3889, built in 1964 and currently also at the Dean Forest Railway. I figure this since it's the penultimate member of the class, and the Fat Controller likely would have wanted the newest engine he could find. Very interested to see what your research tells us about it!

[SalmonJonesTheMagnificent]

Wilbert's book has always been my favorite of the Chris Awdry ones. For some reason despite it never being published in the USA my nowheresville midwestern small town library had it. Rented it probably a hundred times as a kid.

[zacm.]

While I'm not sure whether to interpret of the Austerity the NWR bought after Wilbert's trial a real member or to fudge them as a fictional one, 16 seems to be fictional in some form. I've seen it said a couple times that Wemyss Private Railway's No. 16 - which was an Austerity - replaced another engine that had a similar accident to 16, so Christopher may have heard the story and gotten slightly mixed up on the details, or perhaps deliberately changed it.
If that is the case, 16 is either some extra Austerity in the books universe, or does indeed stem from that incident which changed as it passed between engines before reaching Wilbert, thus making 16 fictional in the books as well as reality.
Grand video though, good to have a single reference instead of trawling through different sites for details :P

[Jetthehawk]

According to Wikipedia, 8 engines built to the design of the Austeritys worked for ironstone quarries and the Scunthorpe Steelworks, so I think maybe 16 could've been one of these. Maybe this might help in your research.

[numptypootis]

I would like to say but years ago I found out Sixteen is actually closest to N° 3823 "Warrior" from the Bickershaw colliery, from what my friend told me he's being slowly restored along with Wilbert at The Dean Forest railway.

[mohdfakarudin]

Wilbert was my Favourite Character in the railway series

[JBTEvans]

I could be wrong, but it's very possible '16' is Austerity number 3823 'Warrior', also based at the DFR. 3+8+2+3 = 16. The engine in the books is painted the same as Warrior was in service life, the DFR used to sell postcards of the engine.

[permvw]

A very informative video, it’s a shame his out of service at the current time

[jadenamoako]

I never really read the railway series but I have seen it on videos

[andydoms]

I’ve always thought Wilbert was such an interesting character. Not only being named after Awdry himself, but because he just seems so elusive in real life.

[gresleyng-thebritishrailwayfan]

I would love to see you doing a research on The Big City Engine.
:)

[Joeythetrainguy]

I have an idea for an RWS research

Toby the tram engine

[vincentmorris]

Between the mystery Austerity and Barry, who do you think would've become #12?
Also, this probably wont help for the technical details, but I recommend checking 16's episode of Character Gallery on TTTE Community Radio - they mention how Austerities and other industrial engines, still being built well into the '60s, are like the steam loco equivalent to cockroaches after a fallout.

[DukeStephen]

Very interesting video
If I can make a suggestion, can you make it about Thomas? I always wanted to know what their original number was, but I discard the numbers 100 and 101 because they didn't have side tanks.

[FazbearEntertainment]

For some reason in Journey beyond solor the steelworks came back but 16 was not there.