Founded as Ally & MacLellan, Glasgow in  1875 and then later known as the Sentinel Waggon Works Ltd, the company  went through various place and name changes until in 1957 Sentinal  (Shrewsbury) Ltd was obtained by Rolls-Royce. At that time Sentinel were producing steam locomotives and lorries, but the manufacturing of these vehicles ceased in 1958. In 1959, Sentinel produced a prototype diesel  shunter which was operated on the military controlled Shropshire &  Montgomeryshire Railway. In total 17 were produced and operated quite  successfully during that year.

1963 saw the introduction of the 34 ton chain drive 4 wheel Rolls-Royce diesel powered Sentinel  shunter rated at 233 bhp which was later uprated to 255bhp. As time  progressed the design was modified with all manner of variations,  including 6 and 8 wheel coupled locomotives which found service in  collieries, dockyards, quarries and foundries, with others being  exported and operated on Portuguese Railways.

Over the  years, as these locomotives were retired, many found their way on to  preserved railways where they continue to provide stalwart service. This locomotive has had various roles and owners over the years before  ending up in the hands of London Carriers International, based at  Paddock Wood in Kent. London Carriers International operated a large  rail fitted warehouse and used their sentinel to move goods dropped off  by BR trains into and around the ½ mile long building. Supposedly the  exhausts produced at start-up regularly set off the buildings fire  alarms and so the locomotive was quickly sold on to the East Lancashire  Railway.