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Bellerophon was one of six almost identical locomotives built for the Haydock Collieries between 1868 and 1887, Bellerophon herself being completed in 1874. Being the only survivor of the class, she is unique, not only for having Stephenson/Gooch valve gear but because she is the last of the only six engines ever built at the Haydock Foundry.

Bellerophon and the others (named Makerfield, Parr, Golborne, Hercules and Amazon) worked faithfully for many years. Amazon was the first to go, in 1935, with the others being taken into ownership by the National Coal Board upon nationalisation. By 1964 Bellerophon was the only survivor and in that year was sent for scrapping. At the last minute she was rescued and arrived on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway and stored here at Oxenhope.

In 1981 she was purchased by Vintage Carriages Trust from the KWVR for £1 and restoration work commenced. Link and taking four years to complete. She ran on the Worth Valley line for several years SE0335 : Bellerophon at Oxenhope before going on semi-permeant loan to the Foxfield Railway SJ9542 : Bellerophon on the Foxfield Railway.