Swindon-Built Train To Return Home 

GWR loco all steamed up for trips on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway this April

 

Swindon and Cricklade Railway has announced plans for the visit of Swindon built 42XX class 2-8-0 tank 4247 to the Railway later this month.

 

Built in 1916 at a cost of £2,918, the principal role of the train was working the 1,000 plus ton coal trains from the pits to the ports in South Wales, a job which required a high tractive effort, due to the train weights and steep gradients, and good steaming capabilities.

 

Withdrawn from service in 1964

 

During its career with the GWR and, later, British Railways the locomotive was based in South Wales, but also worked out of St Blazey shed in the 1950s. It was withdrawn in 1964, ending up in Woodham’s scrapyard in Barry.

 

4247 was rescued from there by the 4247 Preservation Society in 1985 and after an extensive restoration, the engine returned to steam in 2001, and since then it has worked on several heritage railways. The locomotive is now based at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

 

Kids Go FREE Weekend

 

The first weekend of 16/17 April, sees the locomotive take the star turn during the Railway’s “Mixed Running Gala” weekend, when a further five or more diesel locomotives will also be running.

 

The following weekend sees the locomotive operating the normal train services on both days, and the final weekend is the three day bank holiday “Kids Go Free” weekend. 

 

See the links below for more info.