L11 was a shunting locomotive built in 1964 from cannibalised components at Acton Works. Two Standard Stock Driving Motor cars dating from 1931 which had served on the Piccadilly Line were used, the passenger saloon was removed and the two driving cabs plus control compartments were joined together, forming a Bo-Bo locomotive.

Additionally, the Acton end of the locomotive was fitted with couplers at both tube and surface stock height and an extra window in the cab door to improve visibility when shunting. L11 was also fitted with sanding gear to assist hauling rolling stock up the steep gradient to Acton Town station. In common with other service stock, it was painted maroon until repainted yellow with other stock in the engineer's fleet in the early 1980s. L11 was transferred to Ruislip depot in June 1989, returning to Acton for storage in 1991



Destined for scrap unless a suitable resting place could be found, LU Asset Disposal contacted Cravens Heritage Trains. Fortunately, the group had recently leased the Signal Cabin site at Epping and space was available. During the night of 14/15th April 2004 L11 was moved from Acton Works to Epping by Engineering Services as they had vast experience of this type of work. The Emergency Response Unit was on standby in case of difficulties moving the locomotive - it had not moved for many years and the wheels and brakes were locked solid.



When delivered to Epping, L11 was in a dishevelled state with flaking and fading paint and rotting cab floors. In 2014 a subgroup of Cravens Heritage Trains known as Locomotive L11 & Epping Signal Cabin was set up and have restored many areas including a complete repaint in yellow engineer’s train paint. The locomotive now stands on a panel of track with a surrounding wooden plinth to facilitate viewing and ongoing maintenance and restoration.



Locomotive L11 is our very own Forth Bridge, it requires continued maintenance as it is stored in the open, there’s always something to do.