Difference between revisions of "GWR Small Prairie 4566"

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{{Infobox black steam loco
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{{Infobox GWR steam loco
 
|image      = 4566_20140316.jpg
 
|image      = 4566_20140316.jpg
|caption    = 4566 at Bridgnorth
+
|caption    = 4566 at Bridgnorth in 2014
 
|construc  = GWR Swindon Works
 
|construc  = GWR Swindon Works
 
|wheels    = 2-6-2T
 
|wheels    = 2-6-2T
|rating    = 4MT
+
|rating    = GWR: C, BR: 4MT
|status    = In Service
+
|axleload  = GWR: Yellow
 +
|status    = Static display
 
|locono    = 4566
 
|locono    = 4566
 
|designed  = George Jackson Churchward
 
|designed  = George Jackson Churchward
Line 18: Line 19:
 
|years4    = 2006
 
|years4    = 2006
 
|events4    = Re-entered service
 
|events4    = Re-entered service
 +
|years5    = 2017
 +
|events5    = Retired from Service
 
|length    = 63ft 2¼"
 
|length    = 63ft 2¼"
 
|weight    = 57t
 
|weight    = 57t
}}
+
|power      = 21,250 lb
 +
|pressure  = 200 lb/sq in}}
  
4566 is a GWR Churchward 4500 2-6-2T '[[Whyte notation|Small Prairie]]', a class of small mixed traffic locomotives mainly used on branch lines.  They were a common sight on the Severn Valley Branch from the 1920s; the last use there being in 1961.<ref name = "SB9">SVR Stock Book 9th Edition</ref> The class was rated 4MT by British Railways.
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'''4566''' is a '''GWR Churchward 4500 class 2-6-2T '[[Whyte notation|Small Prairie]]'''', one of a class of 175 small mixed traffic locomotives mainly used on branch lines.  A further 100 Collett 4575 Class small prairies were also produced with larger side tanks giving increased water capacity. They used the 'Standard 5' GWR boiler and were rated Yellow C under the [[GWR Power and Weight Classification | GWR system of power and weight classification]] and 4MT under the British Railways system.
 +
 
 +
Small prairies were a common sight on the Severn Valley Branch from the 1920s; the last use there being in 1961.<ref name = "SB9">SVR Stock Book 9th Edition</ref> However, classmate 4555 and 1420 visited the branch with an SLS railtour as far as [[Alveley Sidings]] on 19 September 1965. Three members of the 4500 class and a further 11 of the 4575 class survive in preservation.
 +
 
 +
4566 was capable of pulling 8 coaches up Highley Bank from a standing start, but was generally restricted to 6 coaches or 200 tons due to its limited water capacity.<ref>SVR News 184</ref> This resulted in its use in peak summer season usually being on services with shorter coaching sets such as dining trains, and also in periods spent on hire to other railways.
  
 
==4566 in service==
 
==4566 in service==
4566 was built in Swindon in 1924 and entered service at Newton Abbot. Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far south west, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds. 4566 was notable for being the last steam locomotive overhauled at Newton Abbot works, completed on 15 July 1960, being ceremonially driven out of the works by the chairman of the local urban district council (a mainline diesel driver).<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1417780338248850&id=161421647218065 Didcot Railway Centre Facebook Page], retrieved 15 Jul 2016</ref>  
+
4566 was built in Swindon in 1924 to Lot No. 226 and entered service at Newton Abbot, spending most of its working life based at sheds in Devon and Cornwall.<ref>[http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/happy-birthday-dear-4566/ 'Happy birthday dear 4566', rail.co.uk, 19 June 2015] (Retrieved 3 January 2019)</ref> Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far south west, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds where it was a common sight on the St. Erth to St. Ives and Gwinear Road to Helston branches. 4566 was notable for being the last steam locomotive overhauled at Newton Abbot works, completed on 15 July 1960 and being ceremonially driven out of the works by the chairman of the local urban district council (a mainline diesel driver).<ref name=SVR15>SVR News 15</ref> Two weeks later on 28 July 1960, 4566  was photographed entering Gwinear Road with a 2-coach Helston branch train.<ref>Photo reproduced in SVR News 46</ref>
  
The engine was withdrawn from BR service at Plymouth Laira shed in April 1962 having achieved 967,914 miles in preservation,<ref name = "SB9"/><ref>[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/262_4500det.htm The Great Western Archive] retrieved 27 January 2015,</ref> arriving at [[Barry Scrapyard | Barry]] in August of that year.<ref name = "BarryStory">The Barry Story, Beckett & Hardingham (2010)</ref>
+
In- September 1961, 4566 was transferred to Plymouth Laira depot, probably for storage. It was officially withdrawn from BR service there in April 1962 having achieved 967,914 miles in service, but was stored for a further few months before being sold for scrap and arriving at [[Barry Scrapyard | Barry]] in August of that year.<ref name = "BarryStory">The Barry Story, Beckett & Hardingham (2010)</ref><ref name = "SB9"/><ref>[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/262_4500det.htm The Great Western Archive] (Retrieved 27 January 2015)</ref>
  
 
==4566 in preservation==
 
==4566 in preservation==
4566 was the 8th locomotive to leave Barry and the first from there destined for the SVR.<ref name = "BarryStory" /> She arrived at Bewdley by rail, diesel hauled, on 25 August 1970.<Ref> SVR News 18</ref> Restoration at Bewdley began shortly afterwards, and was completed in time for the locomotive to enter service in July 1975, the 10th anniversary of the formation of the SVR.<ref name = "SB9"/>  The following year 4566 was used in filming of Walt Disney's live action film [[Candleshoe]], with the locomotive also appearing in the 1977 TV movie [[Silver Blaze]].   
+
===Restoration and first boiler ticket===
 +
4566 was selected by two S.V.R. members, David Rouse and Bob Sim, as the most suitable small prairie for preservation out of several examples of the type at Barry, appearing in generally good order apart from missing footplate fittings.<ref name=SVR15/> It was only the 8th locomotive to leave Barry and the first from there destined for the SVR.<ref name = "BarryStory" />
 +
 
 +
4566 arrived at Bewdley by rail, diesel hauled, on 25 August 1970, with restoration beginning there shortly afterwards.<Ref> SVR News 18</ref> By the end of 1972 the boiler had been re-tubed and passed a hydraulic test. The complete bunker unit had been sent away to a railway engineering factory and returned with new platework. The side tanks were found to be thin in places and patching was carried out.<ref>SVR News 26</ref> By the end of 1974 new boiler cladding plates had been cut and rolled at Bridgnorth, using the existing badly rusted ones as patterns. The tanks and cab roof were refitted, and new ashpan built and fitted. Two new spectacle windows were remade and fitted in the front of the cab to replace those originally installed when built but later blanked out by BR.<ref>SVR News 34</ref>
 +
 
 +
The restoration was completed in time for the locomotive to enter service on 5 July 1975, the inaugural trip from Bewdley to Bridgnorth being an evening special train double headed with [[46521]] to mark the 10th anniversary of the formation of the SVR.<ref>SVR News 36</refThe locomotive initially proved very reliable, recording 3,310 miles in just 5 months including 1,410 miles in 22 days during August.<ref>SVR News 38</ref> Over the following winter the locomotive was fitted with steam heating.<ref>SVR News 39</ref>
 +
 
 +
The following year 4566 was used in filming of Walt Disney's live action film [[Candleshoe]],<ref>SVR News 42</ref> with the locomotive also appearing in the 1977 TV movie [[Silver Blaze]].  In summer 1977 the SVR celebrated the Royal Silver Jubilee week by running two named trains, 'The Silver Jubilee' with 4566 and the GWR set,  and 'The Elizabethan' with various LMS locomotives and the LMS set.<ref>SVR News 45</ref> That year the locomotive recorded 4,410 miles, the highest mileage of those used.<ref>SVR News 46</ref>
 +
 
 +
During 1979 4566 was repainted from BR livery into GWR livery and temporarily numbered 4506 for filming the Edwardian era episodes of [[God's Wonderful Railway]].<ref>SVR News 52</ref> By late 1979 4566 had suffered a crack in the drag box and was also suffering from leaking boiler tubes,<ref>SVR News 53-54</ref>, leading to the locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into its first 'ten year ticket'.
 +
 
 +
===Overhaul and second boiler ticket=== 
 +
The next 4 years were spent in storage. Having reached the front of the overhaul queue, work began in early 1984.<ref>SVR News 72</ref>  The cylinders were re-bored and new pistons manufactured. A new buffer beam was manufactured and fitted;<ref>SVR News 74</ref> as were a new bunker, new side tanks and new slide bars.<ref>SVR News 79</ref>. The overhaul was eventually completed with a return to steam in June 1986.<ref>SVR News 81</ref> The locomotive received a quick repaint into BR lined green livery, as last out-shopped from Newton Abbot works, in time for the final week of the 1986 season.<ref>SVR News 82</ref>
  
By late 1979, 4566 had suffered a crack in the drag box and was also suffering from leaking boiler tubes,<ref>SVR News 53-54</ref>, leading to the locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into her first ten year ‘ticket’. Having reached the front of the queue, the overhaul also included a new bunker, new side tanks and new slide bars,<ref>SVR News 79</ref> and was eventually completed with a return to steam in June 1986.<ref>SVR News 81</ref>
+
On 26 March 1987 4566 towed [[3205]], the SVR’s first locomotive in preservation, from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster to be transferred to a low loader when 3205 left the railway. The following month 4566 failed on Easter Sunday with a blow in the firebox. Two boilersmiths spent a morning inside the firebox where a lot of hammering achieved a successful repair.<ref>SVR News 85</ref>
  
In 1988, 4566 made another TV appearance in [[Hannay]].  Two years later, Sunday 13 May 1990 saw the normal summertime Table C timetable in use, requiring 5 steam locomotives. The SVR achieved a rare ‘full house’ by rostering GWR 4566 along with [[SR 34027 Taw Valley]], [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|LMS 46443]], LNER 3442 The Great Marquess and [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|BR Standard 75069]].
+
In 1988, 4566 made another TV appearance in [[Hannay]], in an unlikely combination with four LNER coaches.<ref>SVR News 86</ref>  From 30 April to 2 May 1988 it [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_1980-1989|appeared at Port Sunlight]] for a Vintage Rail and Public Transport weekend celebrating 100 years of soap making at Levers. Top and tailing with LMS 'Jinty' No. 7298 it operated Wirral Transport Users Association 'Port Sunlight Centenary Trains' between Port Sunlight (where a temporary platform was built), Lubrizol Junction and Bromborough Margarine Works (Stork margarine works).<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/happyraildays/8287402032/ Flikr]</ref><ref>[https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/880501ps.htm 'Wirral Transport Users Association Port Sunlight Centenary Trains', Six Bells Junction]</ref> Summer 1988 was spent on hire to the Gwili Railway, where the locomotive was steamed between 30 June and 30 August covering over 1,000 miles.<ref>SVR News 94</ref>
  
4566 spent the summer of 1991 on hire to the Llangollen Railway, evidently successfully as a repeat visit took place the following year. The last full year of this ticket, 1995, also involved a period of hire, this time to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. 4566 was then withdrawn for overhaul at the beginning of 1996.
+
Two years later, Sunday 13 May 1990 saw the normal summertime Table C timetable in use, requiring 5 steam locomotives. The SVR achieved a rare ‘full house’ by rostering GWR 4566 along with [[SR 34027 Taw Valley]], [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|LMS 46443]], LNER 3442 The Great Marquess and [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|BR Standard 75069]].<ref>SVR News 97</ref>
  
Following another period out of service, the most recent overhaul was completed in late 2006 with an entry into service in early 2007. In May of that year, 4566 was used on a steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter, taking a load of pipes to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Water.
+
Over winter 1990-91, 4566 received a quick topcoat repaint and re-varnish in anticipation of a period on hire to the Kent and East Sussex Railway.<ref>SVR News 98</ref> In the event this did not take place; however [[46443]] failed with a burst tube while on hire to the Llangollen Railway and 4566 took its place for the rest of summer 1991.<ref>SVR News 101, 102</ref> This swap was evidently successfully as a repeat visit by 4566 took place the following year.<ref>SVR News 102</ref>
  
4566 began this ticket in GWR green livery, but in early 2014 was repainted in BR black livery with the early ‘cycling lion’ crest. November 2016 marked 4566’s last gala appearance at the November ‘Season Finale’. {{As of|2016|12}} 4566 is operational but will shortly be withdrawn from service at the end of the boiler’s ’10-year ticket’.
+
Early 1993 was spent receiving a re-tube and a new chimney for which a pattern was created,<ref>SVR News 107</ref> with the locomotive returning to service in August. In Spring 1994 4566 spent a second summer on hire to the Gwili Railway.<ref>SVR News 110,112</ref>
  
4566 is owned by the [[4566 Group]].
+
The last full year of this ticket, 1995, began with a photography special day on 2 April organised by the owning 4566 Group. The locomotive then spent April to October on hire to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.<ref>SVR News 114,115</ref>  It was hoped that the 'ticket' could be extended until May 1996 to enable a final appearance at the April Spring Gala, but 4566 was withdrawn for overhaul having been declared a failure just before the event.<ref>SVR News 118-119</ref>.
 +
 
 +
===Overhaul and third boiler ticket===
 +
[[File: 4566_20100522.jpg|thumb|300px|right|4566 at Highley in May 2010]]
 +
4566 was then stored at Bewdley awaiting overhaul. In 1998 an [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA Wolverhampton Branch raffle]] helped raise money towards the cost of new driving wheel tyres which would be required.<ref>SVR News 128,129</ref> Over the next eight years some preliminary work was carried out there by the 4566 Group.<ref>SVR News 139</ref>. In July 2004 4566's new tyres arrived<ref>SVR News 149</ref> and shortly afterwards the locomotive was moved to Bridgnorth for the overhaul proper to begin. Within weeks 4566 had been dismantled and the boiler moved to the boiler shop.<ref>SVR News 148</ref>   
 +
 
 +
As part of the overhaul the 4566 Group reinstated the original Churchward style tapered buffers. These were cast using new patterns made by Gordon Woodruff at Bridgnorth. The locomotive had been re-wheeled by December 2005 and the overhaul was completed in late 2006; a test run from Bridgnorth to Bewdley taking place on 29 November.<ref>SVR News 156</ref>. Pictures of the overhaul can be seen on [http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/4566_overhaul.html GW(SVR)A website 4566 Overhaul page]. The locomotive re-entered service in early 2007 in GWR green ‘Great Western’ livery, operating a charter special for photographers on Monday 5 March 2007.<ref>SVR News 157</ref>
 +
 
 +
In May 2007, 4566 was used on a steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter, taking a load of pipes to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Water. Following the lengthy closure of the railway for repairs to the [[2007 Storm Damage]], partial reopening of services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade was achieved on Saturday 9 February 2008, with 4566 working the first of five return trips to Hampton Loade.<ref>SVR News 160</ref>
 +
 
 +
At the end of 2011 4566 was described as "''running OK but showing signs of the increasing mileage and time since last repair''".<ref>SVR News 176</ref> On examination, the left hand driving horn blocks were found to be loose due to cracks in the frame. These had to be ground out and welded up before the blocks could be refitted and the locomotive returned to traffic.<ref>SVR News 177</ref> During the Victorian Weekend event on 19-20 May 2012 which celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the SVR,<ref group="note">On 1 February 2012, the actual anniversary, the line was closed for repairs to Bewdley Tunnel</ref> 4566 hauled the Royal Train carrying ‘Queen Victoria’ from Bewdley to Bridgnorth.<ref>SVR News 177,178</ref> 
 +
 
 +
In early 2014 4566 was repainted in BR black livery with the early 'cycling lion' crest.<ref>SVR News 185</ref> November 2016 marked 4566’s last gala appearance at the November 'Season Finale'.  On 2 January 2017 4566 retired from service at the end of the boiler's '10-year ticket'. 
 +
 
 +
On 20 June 2018 4566 was moved from storage in [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] to be put on display in [[The Engine House]] at Highley.
 +
 
 +
At the end of 2019, 4566 had recorded a total of 112,000 miles in preservation on the SVR. The reported total may include mileage on hire to other railways.<ref>SVR News 210, SVR-based Steam Locomotive Mileage 2017-2019, Duncan Ballard</ref> 4566 is owned by the [[4566 Group]].
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
Line 50: Line 86:
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
[[Steam Locomotives]]
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[[Steam Locomotives]]<br>
 +
[[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references group="note"/>
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
Line 60: Line 100:
 
{{SteamNavbox}}
 
{{SteamNavbox}}
  
[[Category:Operational steam locomotives]]
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[[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]]  
[[Category:Locomotives at Bridgnorth]]
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[[Category:Featured articles]]

Revision as of 16:08, 13 July 2020

GWRGreat Western Railway Small PrairieLocomotive with a 2-6-2 wheel configuration 4566
4566 20140316.jpg
4566 at Bridgnorth in 2014
Built By GWRGreat Western Railway Swindon Works
Configuration 2-6-2T
Power class GWRGreat Western Railway: C, BRBritish Rail or British Railways: 4MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic.
Axle load class GWRGreat Western Railway: Yellow
Status Static display
Loco Number 4566
History
Built 1924
Designed By George Jackson ChurchwardGeorge Jackson Churchward, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1902-1922
Type GWRGreat Western Railway 4500
1970 Arrived on SVRSevern Valley Railway
1975 First steamed in preservation
1986 Re-entered service
2006 Re-entered service
2017 Retired from Service
Technical
Length 63ft 2¼"
Weight 57t
Tractive effort 21,250 lb
Pressure 200 lb/sq in

Steam Locomotives

4566 is a GWRGreat Western Railway ChurchwardGeorge Jackson Churchward, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1902-1922 4500 class 2-6-2T 'Small Prairie', one of a class of 175 small mixed traffic locomotives mainly used on branch lines. A further 100 CollettCharles Benjamin Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1922-1941 4575 Class small prairies were also produced with larger side tanks giving increased water capacity. They used the 'Standard 5' GWRGreat Western Railway boiler and were rated Yellow C under the GWR system of power and weight classification and 4MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic. under the British Railways system.

Small prairies were a common sight on the Severn Valley Branch from the 1920s; the last use there being in 1961.[1] However, classmate 4555 and 1420 visited the branch with an SLS railtour as far as Alveley Sidings on 19 September 1965. Three members of the 4500 class and a further 11 of the 4575 class survive in preservation.

4566 was capable of pulling 8 coaches up Highley Bank from a standing start, but was generally restricted to 6 coaches or 200 tons due to its limited water capacity.[2] This resulted in its use in peak summer season usually being on services with shorter coaching sets such as dining trains, and also in periods spent on hire to other railways.

4566 in service

4566 was built in Swindon in 1924 to Lot No. 226 and entered service at Newton Abbot, spending most of its working life based at sheds in Devon and Cornwall.[3] Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far south west, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds where it was a common sight on the St. Erth to St. Ives and Gwinear Road to Helston branches. 4566 was notable for being the last steam locomotive overhauled at Newton Abbot works, completed on 15 July 1960 and being ceremonially driven out of the works by the chairman of the local urban district council (a mainline diesel driver).[4] Two weeks later on 28 July 1960, 4566 was photographed entering Gwinear Road with a 2-coach Helston branch train.[5]

In- September 1961, 4566 was transferred to Plymouth Laira depot, probably for storage. It was officially withdrawn from BRBritish Rail or British Railways service there in April 1962 having achieved 967,914 miles in service, but was stored for a further few months before being sold for scrap and arriving at Barry in August of that year.[6][1][7]

4566 in preservation

Restoration and first boiler ticket

4566 was selected by two S.V.R. members, David Rouse and Bob Sim, as the most suitable small prairie for preservation out of several examples of the type at BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation., appearing in generally good order apart from missing footplate fittings.[4] It was only the 8th locomotive to leave BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. and the first from there destined for the SVRSevern Valley Railway.[6]

4566 arrived at Bewdley by rail, diesel hauled, on 25 August 1970, with restoration beginning there shortly afterwards.[8] By the end of 1972 the boiler had been re-tubed and passed a hydraulic test. The complete bunker unit had been sent away to a railway engineering factory and returned with new platework. The side tanks were found to be thin in places and patching was carried out.[9] By the end of 1974 new boiler cladding plates had been cut and rolled at Bridgnorth, using the existing badly rusted ones as patterns. The tanks and cab roof were refitted, and new ashpan built and fitted. Two new spectacle windows were remade and fitted in the front of the cab to replace those originally installed when built but later blanked out by BRBritish Rail or British Railways.[10]

The restoration was completed in time for the locomotive to enter service on 5 July 1975, the inaugural trip from Bewdley to Bridgnorth being an evening special train double headed with 46521 to mark the 10th anniversary of the formation of the SVRSevern Valley Railway.[11] The locomotive initially proved very reliable, recording 3,310 miles in just 5 months including 1,410 miles in 22 days during August.[12] Over the following winter the locomotive was fitted with steam heating.[13]

The following year 4566 was used in filming of Walt Disney's live action film Candleshoe,[14] with the locomotive also appearing in the 1977 TV movie Silver Blaze. In summer 1977 the SVRSevern Valley Railway celebrated the Royal Silver Jubilee week by running two named trains, 'The Silver Jubilee' with 4566 and the GWRGreat Western Railway set, and 'The Elizabethan' with various LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway locomotives and the LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway set.[15] That year the locomotive recorded 4,410 miles, the highest mileage of those used.[16]

During 1979 4566 was repainted from BRBritish Rail or British Railways livery into GWRGreat Western Railway livery and temporarily numbered 4506 for filming the Edwardian era episodes of God's Wonderful Railway.[17] By late 1979 4566 had suffered a crack in the drag box and was also suffering from leaking boiler tubes,[18], leading to the locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into its first 'ten year ticket'.

Overhaul and second boiler ticket

The next 4 years were spent in storage. Having reached the front of the overhaul queue, work began in early 1984.[19] The cylinders were re-bored and new pistons manufactured. A new buffer beam was manufactured and fitted;[20] as were a new bunker, new side tanks and new slide bars.[21]. The overhaul was eventually completed with a return to steam in June 1986.[22] The locomotive received a quick repaint into BRBritish Rail or British Railways lined green livery, as last out-shopped from Newton Abbot works, in time for the final week of the 1986 season.[23]

On 26 March 1987 4566 towed 3205, the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s first locomotive in preservation, from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster to be transferred to a low loader when 3205 left the railway. The following month 4566 failed on Easter Sunday with a blow in the firebox. Two boilersmiths spent a morning inside the firebox where a lot of hammering achieved a successful repair.[24]

In 1988, 4566 made another TV appearance in Hannay, in an unlikely combination with four LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway coaches.[25] From 30 April to 2 May 1988 it appeared at Port Sunlight for a Vintage Rail and Public Transport weekend celebrating 100 years of soap making at Levers. Top and tailing with LMSLondon Midland & Scottish Railway 'Jinty' No. 7298 it operated Wirral Transport Users Association 'Port Sunlight Centenary Trains' between Port Sunlight (where a temporary platform was built), Lubrizol Junction and Bromborough Margarine Works (Stork margarine works).[26][27] Summer 1988 was spent on hire to the Gwili Railway, where the locomotive was steamed between 30 June and 30 August covering over 1,000 miles.[28]

Two years later, Sunday 13 May 1990 saw the normal summertime Table C timetable in use, requiring 5 steam locomotives. The SVRSevern Valley Railway achieved a rare ‘full house’ by rostering GWRGreat Western Railway 4566 along with SR 34027 Taw Valley, LMS 46443, LNERLondon & North Eastern Railway 3442 The Great Marquess and BR Standard 75069.[29]

Over winter 1990-91, 4566 received a quick topcoat repaint and re-varnish in anticipation of a period on hire to the Kent and East Sussex Railway.[30] In the event this did not take place; however 46443 failed with a burst tube while on hire to the Llangollen Railway and 4566 took its place for the rest of summer 1991.[31] This swap was evidently successfully as a repeat visit by 4566 took place the following year.[32]

Early 1993 was spent receiving a re-tube and a new chimney for which a pattern was created,[33] with the locomotive returning to service in August. In Spring 1994 4566 spent a second summer on hire to the Gwili Railway.[34]

The last full year of this ticket, 1995, began with a photography special day on 2 April organised by the owning 4566 Group. The locomotive then spent April to October on hire to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.[35] It was hoped that the 'ticket' could be extended until May 1996 to enable a final appearance at the April Spring Gala, but 4566 was withdrawn for overhaul having been declared a failure just before the event.[36].

Overhaul and third boiler ticket

4566 at Highley in May 2010

4566 was then stored at Bewdley awaiting overhaul. In 1998 an SVRA Wolverhampton Branch raffle helped raise money towards the cost of new driving wheel tyres which would be required.[37] Over the next eight years some preliminary work was carried out there by the 4566 Group.[38]. In July 2004 4566's new tyres arrived[39] and shortly afterwards the locomotive was moved to Bridgnorth for the overhaul proper to begin. Within weeks 4566 had been dismantled and the boiler moved to the boiler shop.[40]

As part of the overhaul the 4566 Group reinstated the original ChurchwardGeorge Jackson Churchward, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1902-1922 style tapered buffers. These were cast using new patterns made by Gordon Woodruff at Bridgnorth. The locomotive had been re-wheeled by December 2005 and the overhaul was completed in late 2006; a test run from Bridgnorth to Bewdley taking place on 29 November.[41]. Pictures of the overhaul can be seen on GW(SVR)A website 4566 Overhaul page. The locomotive re-entered service in early 2007 in GWRGreat Western Railway green ‘Great Western’ livery, operating a charter special for photographers on Monday 5 March 2007.[42]

In May 2007, 4566 was used on a steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter, taking a load of pipes to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Water. Following the lengthy closure of the railway for repairs to the 2007 Storm Damage, partial reopening of services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade was achieved on Saturday 9 February 2008, with 4566 working the first of five return trips to Hampton Loade.[43]

At the end of 2011 4566 was described as "running OK but showing signs of the increasing mileage and time since last repair".[44] On examination, the left hand driving horn blocks were found to be loose due to cracks in the frame. These had to be ground out and welded up before the blocks could be refitted and the locomotive returned to traffic.[45] During the Victorian Weekend event on 19-20 May 2012 which celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the SVRSevern Valley Railway,[note 1] 4566 hauled the Royal Train carrying ‘Queen Victoria’ from Bewdley to Bridgnorth.[46]

In early 2014 4566 was repainted in BRBritish Rail or British Railways black livery with the early 'cycling lion' crest.[47] November 2016 marked 4566’s last gala appearance at the November 'Season Finale'. On 2 January 2017 4566 retired from service at the end of the boiler's '10-year ticket'.

On 20 June 2018 4566 was moved from storage in Kidderminster Carriage Shed to be put on display in The Engine House at Highley.

At the end of 2019, 4566 had recorded a total of 112,000 miles in preservation on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. The reported total may include mileage on hire to other railways.[48] 4566 is owned by the 4566 Group.

Gallery

See also

Steam Locomotives
SVR-based locomotives visiting other events

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway Stock Book 9th Edition
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 184
  3. 'Happy birthday dear 4566', rail.co.uk, 19 June 2015 (Retrieved 3 January 2019)
  4. 4.0 4.1 SVRSevern Valley Railway News 15
  5. Photo reproduced in SVRSevern Valley Railway News 46
  6. 6.0 6.1 The BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. Story, Beckett & Hardingham (2010)
  7. The Great Western Archive (Retrieved 27 January 2015)
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 18
  9. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 26
  10. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 34
  11. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 36
  12. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 38
  13. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 39
  14. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 42
  15. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 45
  16. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 46
  17. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 52
  18. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 53-54
  19. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 72
  20. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 74
  21. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 79
  22. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 81
  23. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 82
  24. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 85
  25. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 86
  26. Flikr
  27. 'Wirral Transport Users Association Port Sunlight Centenary Trains', Six Bells Junction
  28. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 94
  29. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 97
  30. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 98
  31. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 101, 102
  32. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 102
  33. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 107
  34. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 110,112
  35. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 114,115
  36. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 118-119
  37. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 128,129
  38. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 139
  39. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 149
  40. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 148
  41. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 156
  42. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 157
  43. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 160
  44. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 176
  45. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 177
  46. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 177,178
  47. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 185
  48. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 210, SVRSevern Valley Railway-based Steam Locomotive Mileage 2017-2019, Duncan Ballard

Notes

  1. On 1 February 2012, the actual anniversary, the line was closed for repairs to Bewdley Tunnel

Links

GWR 4500 Class on Wikipedia