Built at the Brighton Works of the Southern Railway in 1946 this West Country Class locomotive ran until August 1964 when it retired to Dai Woodhams Yard at Barry Dock. As with the rest of its class in 1957 it was rebuilt to ease some of the access problems for maintenance and to correct some of the design problems of these innovative engines. This loco was rescued from Barry in April 1980 and is now I believe in private ownership. I think it was on loan to the SVR when I took this photograph and video at the Spring Steam Gala having also had a stint at the North York Moors Railway.
From my observation of it on the SVR, this soft spoken locomotive is well able to handle heavy trains with none of the wheel slipping associated with some other pacifics regularly seen on the Seven Valley line. However for someone who enjoys the powerful sounds of steam at work this class is just too civilised.
Return to Previous Loco Description
Copyright ©1999 Jim Rushton