Description:Steam locomotive 'Dempster' no. 1858 built by Bagnalls Stafford in 1908 by the construction ‘gang’ including Charles Pearson. It was built in for the Elder Dempster shipping line and is pictured here in Japan.
Image and information from 'Bagnall's of Stafford', by courtesy of Mr. Allan C. Baker, co-author with the late T.D. Allen.
W.G. Bagnall Ltd. was established in 1870 in Castle Street, Stafford. Bagnall's first locomotive was produced in 1875, the company going on to produce machines for collieries and overseas plantations. Eventually Bagnall's was manufacturing powerful locomotives for some of the world's most important railways.
In 1951 Bagnall's merged with Brush Traction Ltd., and in 1959 the firm was sold to W.H. Dorman Ltd. Two years later they were taken over by the English Electric Co. and production at the Castle Street works ceased.