The Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive outside the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley

On a walk around Dudley in January 2024, I went down Tipton Road past the Black Country Living Museum, during a weekend when they were closed for maintenance, so the car park was empty. I saw a green steam locomotive called Winston Churchill, this was the Cadbury Bros No 7 steam locomotive. It arrived in 2012, on the spot where the Titanic anchor replica used to be.

First a repost on the Titanic anchor replica seen in 2011

The replica of The Titanic Anchor. It was made in 2010 by Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd for a Channel 4 documentary. It was on loan at the time to the museum from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council.  The original anchor was made by N. Hingley & Sons Ltd in 1911 at their factory in Netheron, Dudley. The original anchor weighed 15.5 tons. In 2011 the Titanic anchor replica was seen outside of the Black Country Living Museum near the former Rolfe Street Baths building. But it was eventually moved to a more permenant location in Netherton where it remains today. It was replaced in 2012 by the Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 steam locomotive.

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Winston Churchill, Cadbury No 7 in 2024

The relocation of the Winston Churchill was made possible through the help and support of the local house builder Lovell Partnerships Ltd and The Friends of the Black Country Museum.

0-6-0ST Manning Wardle locomotive built at Boyne Engine Works, Leeds in 1923. It was ordered by the Cadbury Brothers, Bournville in February 1923, and was completed and sent to Cadbury Blackpole Factory by June 1923. It became their No 7 steam locomotive at the Waterside Site. It was moved to Bournville for a short time before it returned to Blackpole. And was named after Winston Churchill. By 1946 it had been replaced by diesel and was sold to Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn in Darlington. It arrived in Dudley at G Pitt & Co Ltd on the Pensnett Trading Estate later in 1946. It was eventually placed outside of the Black Country Living Museum in 2012 after the Titanic anchor replica was removed.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

Motor Museum at the Black Country Living Museum

Returning to the visit of the distant past from August 2011. This time we take a look at the Motor Museum at the Black Country Living Museum. A collection of vintage cars and motorbikes and other vehicles. It is Bradburn & Wedge Ltd, a car showroom displaying a collection of vintage vehicles, all manufactured around the Black Country. Such as Bean, Westfield, Sunbeam, Guy and AJS.

The Vehicle Display at the Black Country Living Museum

In the building that houses the Vehicle Display at the Black Country Living Museum, it holds their collection of Black Country manufactured cars and motorcycles. Also commercial vehicles. From Bean to Westfield. From Sunbeam to Diamond. From Guy to AJS.  It has the appearance of a 1950s garage. Based on the car showrooms of local company, Bradburn and Wedge. The company was founded in 1918, when William Howard Bradburn joined with Harry Wedge.

The photos in the gallery below, taken during a visit to the Black Country Living Museum in August 2011. While they are still closed on the third lockdown, enjoy this digital post.

Sunbeam motorcycle and Guy Fire Engine

On the left is a couple of motorcycles, including a Sunbeam. The one in the middle is a  1918 French Army Model. On the right is a Guy Fire Engine dating from 1924.

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Brevitt's

Seen here is an old commercial van. This was General Carriers, J. Brevitt of Willenhall, Staffordshire (now West Midlands).

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Collection of vintage motorcycles made in the Black Country

Here we see a collection of old motorcycles. Mostly Sunbeam's. Some are A.J.S motorcycles. Most are T.T. Model's.

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The motorcycle closest to the camera was numbered 13 in the collection.

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Number 2 in the collection in the middle.

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Another view of number 13, towards a car that looks like it dates to the 1990s, and the Brevitt's van.

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Collection of vintage motorcars made in the Black Country

1903 Sunbeam

Entering the museum, the first cars I see near the door. The yellow motor is a 1903 Sunbeam 10/12 HP. car.

In the middle is a 1912 Star Victoria. To the far left is the General Carriers - J. Brevitt van.

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Close up look at the yellow Sunbeam made in 1903.

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1912 Star Victoria

A close up look at the dark red Star Victoria motor made in 1912.

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1923 Bean 14 Tourer

Next up is a Bean 14 Tourer. It was made by A. Harper, Sons & Bean in 1923.

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1934 Sunbeam Dawn

The dark green car is a Sunbeam Dawn. Built in July 1934. It was sold to a Dr. Hilliard in September 1934 (who lived in Taunton). He owned it for 26 years. Since then it has resided in the West Midlands.

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1930 A.J.S. Tourer

Next we have a 1930 A.J.S. Tourer (A.J.S. Coachbuilt 2-Seater). It was made by A.J. Stevens & Company Limited. The chassis was built by John Thompson Motor pressings at Bilston.

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1931 Star Coupe

The following motor is a 1931 Star Coupe. Built by the Star Motor Company of Wolverhampton. The company was taken over by Guy Motors of Wolverhampton in 1928.

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Old motors in a state of repair

Various old motors in a state of repair as they were back in the summer of 2011. Probably all date to the 1930s (or earlier).

There was no signs in the window at the time, and even with Google Lens, now in 2021, is a bit hard to tell what model this motor is. Plus the engine was missing at the time.

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Possibly a 1931 Alvis in the photo below.

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This motor might be a Buton. Cannot find any more details.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown