Thursday, 21 December 2023

We've got a Tank for Christmas!


 5526 at Cheltenham Racecourse - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ben Evason
 
Snow is falling, all around me, children playing, having fun! It's the season, love and understanding, Merry Christmas everyone... Please don’t worry, I’ll dispense with the karaoke for now as the sight and sound of me signing certainly isn’t a sight to behold, I can assure you. My abilities in that department are about as good as the proverbial chocolate teapot. You’d like to hear some more? Surely not, and I’ll politely suggest that you’ve been drinking a tad too much gluhwein! A worldwide tour and chart-topping album are not on my list of plans for next year, so I’m very sorry to disappoint my loyal readers (or should that be ‘followers’ in social media parlance). Unlike the words of Mr Stevens, sadly snow isn’t falling all around me, and it looks like we’re going to end up with a rather wet and windy Christmas, rather than a fluffy white one.

5526 undergoing a Steam Test - 16th November 2023 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis
 
My talents remain elsewhere, and readers may recall that I have a particular affinity with the trusty mince pie, copious amounts of which get me through the festive season and the cupboard is well and truly stocked up. Speaking of the cupboard, I may need to install some additional bracing due to the weight of all the pies. Mind you, I don’t think I’ve quite reached peak consumption just yet. I must consult with one of our Duty Operations Officers (DOO), namely Andy Smith, on this important matter, as he is quite the connoisseur when it comes to all things cake related. In my humble opinion, he should really be given the additional role of ‘Duty Cake Officer’ (DCO). If in doubt, bring some more cake out!
 
GWR Prairie tank 5526 seen on a miserable damp December day pulling up through Dixton Cutting and shutting off for Gotherington with the return Santa Special working for Cheltenham Racecourse.
GWSR Newsreel with 5526 (2017) - Video © Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

Anyway, let us move on to more important matters at hand. Recent visitors to the railway will have noticed that we have a certain 'Small Prairie' tank with us for the festive season, as if the opening photograph of this blog wasn't a big enough giveaway! With 7820 once again away on holiday at the South Devon Railway (SDR) operating their 'Polar Express' services, we required an additional engine to bolster our fleet to operate our annual Santa and Mince Pie Specials. The loco in question is 5526, which arrived with us in mid-November, courtesy of the SDR. Shorty after arriving, the tank engine was tested and signed off for service over the festive period. It's great to have a tank back at the railway since the departure of the much loved and missed 4270 earlier in the year. 5526 will be staying here until the end of the season.
 
5526's first duty before the festive trains were underway was operating the November Race Specials to Cheltenham RC. 

5526 prepares to depart Toddington with a November Race Train - 17th November 2023
 
5526 is a member of the 100-strong Charles Collett designed Great Western Railway (GWR) 2-6-2T ‘4575’ Class of ‘Small Prairie’ tank locomotives. The class were a development of the earlier Churchward designed 4500 Class and featured larger side tanks with sloped tops which allowed for an increased water capacity. These small mixed traffic locomotives were predominantly designed for branch line work and were constructed at the GWR’s Swindon Works between 1927 and 1929. They carried the number range 4575–4599 and 5500–5574, with 15 members of the class later being fitted with auto apparatus in 1953, enabling them to run push-pull trains on South Wales lines with auto trailers.
 
5526 prepares to depart Toddington with a November Race Train - 17th November 2023

Known for their work in the West of England and Wales, these capable engines had a good turn of speed and were reportedly able to haul passenger trains of up to 11 coaches, despite their relatively small size. During the 1950s and 1960s, examples of the class could be found hauling part of the Cambrian Coast Express to Pwllheli and parts of the Cornish Riviera Express. The first withdrawal of the class began with 4586 in 1956 and members steadily declined until the last 11 were taken out of service in 1964. 11 of the class survived into preservation, with these being: 4588, 5521, 5526, 5532, 5538, 5539, 5541, 5542, 5552, 5553 & 5572. Most are operational or are undergoing overhaul / restoration.
 
5526 operating a Santa Special on 2nd December 2023 - Photo courtesy of
photographer elf Jack Boskett
 
5526 was out-shopped from Swindon in May 1928 as part of a batch of 20 locomotives (Lot No. 251) numbering 5525–5544. The cost of construction was £3,602 which included £737 for its boiler. 5526’s first allocation was St. Blazey Shed (SBZ / 173) in Cornwall, and it was during this time that the engine was based out at Bodmin for two months, working the branch to Wadebridge. In November 1929 the engine was transferred to Exeter where it remained for two years.
 
5526 + Auto-trailer at Bishops Cleeve 26th May 2009 - Photo © xj900suk

In the six years that followed, 5526 had a number of allocations including; Plymouth (Millbay and Laira), Moorswater (LA / 123), Launceston and Newton Abbot (NA / 133) before being sent to Laira (LA) for its first general overhaul on 26th January, 1935. During the overhaul at Laira the engine was fitted with its second boiler. Following the completion of the overhaul, 5526 was transferred to its new home of Truro (TR / 213) on 6th June, 1935, where it would remain for the next twenty four years. Workings for the engine during this period would have included branch services to Falmouth and Newquay (via both Chasewater and Par). In March 1959, 5526 was transferred from Truro to Westbury (82D).
 
Anyone fancy a Mince Pie? I know I do! - Photo courtesy of photographer elf Jack Boskett
 
During its time at Westbury, the engine received its final heavy overhaul and its last "Classified" overhaul, due to it being stopped between the 17th April and the 5th June 1959. Whilst under overhaul, 5526 received its seventh and final boiler, which had been constructed during October 1947 for the reported sum of £1087. The 'Small Prairie' spent its final years working on local passenger and goods trains to locations including Swindon and Bristol (via Radstock). 5526 was withdrawn from BR service on the 8th June, 1962, after being in service for over thirty four years and covering a total of 968,577 miles. The engine was sold to the Woodham Brothers on the 28th August, 1962, and transferred to Barry in November that year. Twenty three years later, in July 1985, 5526 was finally saved by the “Project 5526 Group”.
 
5526 and 7903 on GWSR - Video © smerlinare

The locomotive was transferred to Toddington during the same month, but by 1988, it was decided that 5526 would be moved again (due to the lack of facilities at the GWSR at the time, which were required in order to restore the engine). It just goes to show how fortunate and lucky we are today to have the facilities that we do at Toddington, when compared to how it was some thirty five years ago! The tank engine was moved to Swindon Works Heritage Centre in April 1988 - specifically the No. 19 Shop (formerly the DMU Repair Shop), where most of the equipment needed for the restoration was available. Whilst at Swindon, a number of jobs were completed including; the re-profiling of the wheels, the replacement of the corroded rear portion of the main frame, the stripping, surveying and retubing of the boiler, and the construction of a new bunker and two new riveted side tanks.
 
GWR tank locos heading for Chinnor - Photo © Bob Walters (cc-by-sa/2.0)
 
Due to a building development and access problems, the group and locomotive needed to vacate the No. 19 Shop and a new operating base was sought. Fortunately, the group managed to find a suitable new home at Buckfastleigh on the South Devon Railway (SDR), where restoration to full working order was completed. 5526 has visited the GWSR on a number of occasions since its original restoration, including in 2009 and in 2017. 

 
GWSR Christmas Cracker with No.5526 29 & 30/12/17 - Video © totally-transport
 
 5526 + Auto-trailer at Bishops Cleeve 24th May 2009 - Photo © Henry Elliott
 
Occasionally, things don't always go to plan. I gather the engine ran out of chuff last Sunday (that's a technical term!).
 
Thunderbirds to the rescue! - 37215 arrives to assist 5526 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis
 
I suppose we'd better play the theme tune... well it would be rather rude not to: Thunderbirds Are Go!
 
Plenty of power for this impromptu mixed traction service! - Photo courtesy of inspector elf Ian Butler
 
5526 has some Santa Special company in the form of newly overhauled 2807...
 
2807 at Winchcombe Station - Photo courtesy of driver elf Dan Wigg
 
Inspector elf Ian Butler looks to be having fun!
- Photo courtesy of fireman elf Tom Willson
 
2807 & 5526 on shed at Toddington - Photo courtesy of Mark Wilson

In other department news...
 
Christmas came early for DMLL and 3850 as its boiler arrived and was reunited with its frames. Rather uplifting!

En-route from Rileys - Photo courtesy of DMLL
 
Lifting into position on the 8th December 2023 - Photo courtesy of DMLL
 
Easy does it! -
Photo courtesy of DMLL
 
Drum roll please...
Photo courtesy of DMLL
 
Shunting around to the DP shed at Toddington -
Photo courtesy of DMLL 
 
Looking much more like a loco now! - 3850 reunited with its boiler - 8th December 2023
 
News from the footplate
 
I'm delighted to report that Peter Young and Tina Sutton have both recently passed out as newly qualified driver elves in the steam department, with David Jenkins and Jeremy Booth-Rossiter also passing out as a newly qualified fireman elves. Tom Willson is now a newly qualified shunter driver elf, in addition to his roles as gala chairman, roster clerk and fireman - thus another member of the department very familiar with the spinning of multiple plates. Well done to all!
 
Elf Tom Willson at the controls of one of our diesel shunters - Photo courtesy of driver elf Kevin Jarvis 
 
Oh look more food...courtesy of newly qualified fireman elf David, a man of many talents!

David Jenkins popping his cooking on the shovel cherry - 21st December 2023 - Photo courtesy of driver elf Ray O'Hara
 
2807 & 35006 on shed at Toddington - 24th November 2023
 
5526 & 2807 on shed at Toddington - 24th November 2023 
 
Cleaner elf Ryan giving 5526's cab a good clean - 15th December 2023
 
Whilst cleaner elf Matthew gives the bodywork a good wash. High vis hat too! - 15th December 2023

2807 on shed ready for a warming fire - 15th December 2023

Looking down the yard - 15th December 2023

Reminiscent of the 1960s perhaps? 35006 inside the DP shed undergoing maintenance - 15th December 2023
 
I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year. 2023 has simply flown by and it's been a chuffing good one in my book, certainly as the GWSR steam department is concerned. Onwards and upwards!
 
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
 

Until next time folks... I'm a little peckish, so I think it's time I went to check on that Mince Pie cupboard!

I'd better leave you with Mr Stevens: Merry Christmas Everyone

Alex (the sooty one!). 
 
All published photographs are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
5526 reference material sourced from PBSL and the South Devon Railway Association (SDA).

3 comments:

  1. Enjoyable blog as always Alex!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much. I do my best to make it an entertaining read.

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  2. 30.03.2024 at 05:51LT [29/1951GMT] - great links comments etc. Happydaze Jon on Bribie Island Qld. Land of OZ

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