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VALIANT was originally built for the war department in May 1916, but luckily never got to France or she may never have returned. This era of the engines' life is rather sketchy and if any one can help with any information etc. it will be greatly appreciated. The engine was sold after the First World War and went to Charles Openshaw of Reading.
We know that they converted the engine to a showman’s specification, but it is possible that it may have been one of the B6 Big Lion engines that the late Joe Challis recalls as moving timber when he was a lad. In Joe's excellent book "A life with Steam", he recalls how where he lived there were some big trees being felled and the engines that were hauling the trees away were supplied by Openshaw. There were four B6 Fowlers, so it is possible 14424 may have been one of them.
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