The Wrenn W2226 "Plymouth" Span Can Bulleid, West Country Class Locomotive is SR Green, is probably one of the most common that Basildon produced from 1982 to 1992. Production figures indicate just over 1100 issued before closure in 1992. I believe most were produced between 1982/86 as few have appeared over the years with date stamps beyond 1986. Maurice Gunters book on the history of Wrenn, indicates only 52 issued between 1991/92 which makes these very rare in my opinion.

As with "Winston Churchill" which also had a relatively high production figure, most of the examples you see today are "play worn" due to repeated layout use.

The later Plymouth Locomotives may be recognised by a number of factors including;

1. Armature segments are brown not green - appears on late 1991/92 Locomotives.

2. Pick-up wire is thicker and normally blue,mauve, or yellow

3. Magnet Pole pieces are plated, not raw steel

4. Larger box rings included, and date stamp on the underneath of the inner box will indicate Basildon issue date.

5. Correct  box end stamps W2266 PLYMOUTH 4-6-2 S.R. GREEN, labels were not used. 

A VERY NICE WRENN LOCOMOTIVE TO ADD TO THE COLLECTION OR RUN, IF YOU CAN FIND ONE!