View source for GWR 5600 class 6634

{{Infobox GWR steam loco
|image      = GWR6634 Barry Scrapyard.jpg
|caption    = 6634 at Barry Scrapyard in 1968
|construc   = GWR Swindon Works
|wheels     = 0-6-2T
|rating     = GWR: D, BR: 5MT
|axleload   = GWR: Red
|status     = Unrestored
|locono     = 6634
|designed   = Charles Collett
|locotype   = '''GWR 5600'''
|built      = 1928
|years1     = 2009
|events1    = Arrived on SVR
|years2     = 2017
|events2    = Left SVR for Peak Rail
|weight     = 69t 7cwt
|power      = 25,800 lb
|pressure   = 200 lb/sq in
}}[[File:GWR 6634 20171108.jpg|thumb|300px|right|6634 awaiting collection in November 2017]]'''GWR 5600 class 6634''' was resident on the SVR between 2009 and 2017 but was never steamed.

The GWR 5600 Class is a class of 0-6-2T steam locomotive designed by Collett and built between 1924 and 1928. They were based on the Rhymney Railway 1904 M class and 1909 R class locomotives. In 1923 the GWR absorbed a variety of locomotives from pre-Grouping Welsh railway companies, many of 0-6-2T configuration, and built two hundred locomotives of the 5600 class to replace part of that fleet. Numbered in the 5600 and 6600 series, most were built at Swindon, however 6650-6699 were built by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The last of the class remained in service until the end of BR(WR) steam in 1965. The class was not used on the Severn Valley Branch in service due to its [[GWR Power and Weight Classification#GWR route classification colours| 'Red' axle weight classification]], although [[Tales from the Severn Valley#The overweight locomotive|one was allowed to work a coal train to Alveley Colliery by mistake]].  The class was however used on trains for [[Stourport Power Station]].<ref>[http://www.miac.org.uk/stourportps.html Booth, A., 'CEGB, Stourport Power Station', Railways in Worcestershire] (Retrieved 20 November 2020)</ref>

Nine of the class have survived into preservation, of which [[GWR 5600 Class 5619|5619]] has also appeared on the SVR.

==6634 in service==
6634 was built at Swindon in August 1928 to lot number 252, and withdrawn from Pontypool Road shed in April 1964.<ref>[http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&id=6634&type=S&loco=6634 BRDatabase]</ref> It was sent to [[Barry Scrapyard]] in August of that year.

==6634 in preservation==
6634 left Barry in June 1981, the 131st locomotive to do so, initially to the East Somerset Railway.<ref>[http://www.railuk.info/steam/barry_search.php Railuk.info Barry Scrapyard Search Results]</ref><ref>[https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2018/10/gwr-56xx-class-steam-locomotives-class-information.html Duggan, J., 'GWR 56XX Class steam locomotives – Class Information', Rail Advent, 30 October 2018] (Retrieved 16 August 2020)</ref> It is owned by [[The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust]].

On 19 August 2009 the ‘rolling chassis’ arrived on the SVR for restoration from [[Barry Scrapyard | ex-Barry]] condition to be completed.  SVR News announced that the SVR had reached an agreement with the owners to complete the overhaul of the ‘bottom end’ while Crewe completed the repair of the boiler. The SVR would then bring the locomotive into use with it being run on the SVR for ‘a period deemed fair by both parties’. The deal appeared favourable to the SVR as it would not involve the boiler shop or require space in the works on the jacks. Work was subsequently carried out by the SVR for a period after its arrival.

<gallery>
6634_20110507.jpg|6634 in Bridgnorth works, May 2011
</gallery> 

In 2010 it was reported boiler repairs were going well at LNWR Crewe, but by 2011 plans had changed and they were instead intending to use the boiler of 'Large Prairie' 4115, one of the [[Barry Scrapyard|“Barry Ten”]]. In Summer 2012 the boiler tubeplate was stolen from Crewe Heritage Centre with serious disruption to progress.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/Pages/SteamLocoNews.aspx SVRLive Steam Loco Situation - Summer 2012]</ref> By 2014 the SVR reported that there was no progress or commitment on the boiler and the SVR was seeking legal advice concerning the continued lack of progress in order to resolve this long running problem.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/Pages/News0214.aspx SVRLive News update 19 February 2014]</ref><ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/Pages/news0814.aspx SVRLive News update 4 July 2014]</ref>

Peak Rail’s Press Release 12 May 2015 announced: “Dr Pete Waterman OBE DL is delighted to announce that he has reached an
agreement with Peak Rail to base his [[The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust| Waterman Railway Heritage Trust]] assets at its Rowsley site”.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/PeakRail/posts/807125802712140 Peak Rail Facebook 12 May 2015]</ref> Two of its locomotives were moved, but 6634 remained at the SVR.

The locomotive was transported by road from [[Bridgnorth]] to Peak Rail on 10 November 2017.<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?p=54432#54432 SVRA Forum], accessed 10 November 2017</ref> The 2017 [[SVR(H)]] accounts included a £65k settlement from the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust<ref>Minutes of the SVR(H) AGM held on 16 June 2018, Para. 4</ref>. 

==See also==
[[Former Residents]]<br>
[[The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust]]<br>
[[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service]]

==References==
<references />

==Links==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_5600_Class GWR 5600 Class on Wikipedia]<br>
[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_062.htm GWR 5600 Class on Great Western Archive]

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