50 years ago
David Cook/The 4566 Preservation Group
In the early hours of Sunday 29th June 1975, following several long days of hard graft the late Pete Simpson declared in his broad Gloucestershire accent, “well, I’m off to bed now, you can light her up if you want to”.
Three members of the restoration team including myself were the lucky “lighter uppers” and we stayed on the engine through the night and witnessed the needle moving off its stop on the pressure gauge as steam was made for the first time since March(?) 1962, (4566 was officially withdrawn at Laira in early April).
The below photograph was one I took on the day just after the regulator was opened for the first time (and yes, there were a lot of us on the footplate when this happened!) and the engine was moved over the pit at Bewdley. Later that day 4566 was allowed out on to the Bewdley/Foley Park section running out to and back from Foley Park Tunnel. One thing soon became evident and that was having not had the time to set the valves she lost two beats as soon as she was “notched up”. This was corrected soon afterwards.
I don’t think anyone would have thought that in the 50 years since this happened that 4566 would amass over 100,000 miles in preservation. In addition to this and back when visits to other Heritage Railways wasn’t really considered she has since been to Port Sunlight (internal railway now closed I believe), Gwilli Railway (twice), Llangollen Railway (3 times), Glos & Warks Railway, South Devon Railway (twice), West Somerset Railway (twice), North Norfolk Railway and the Great Central Railway.
Her real claim to fame was being the last engine through Newton Abbot works (June – July 1960) where she received a Light Casual repair and repaint and having a significant role in Walt Disney’s film, “Candleshoe”, starring the late David Niven, a very young Jodie Foster (fresh from filming, “Taxi Driver” with Robert DeNiro). If you watch the film look out for the engine driver with the moustache. It was my late father; Gilbert Cook, who like me at the time was an SVR fireman!
I sincerely hope that January 2nd, 2017, was not the last time I had the pleasure of seeing 4566 in steam. As age creeps upon us it is now for the new trustees and younger generation to take up the baton and move this forward. I am pleased to say that funds are coming in but we still have a long way to go and donations of any kind are always welcome (we now operate a sales stand at SVR galas and will accept railway related items to sell). Please see our website: www4566.org.uk for more information.
Three members of the restoration team including myself were the lucky “lighter uppers” and we stayed on the engine through the night and witnessed the needle moving off its stop on the pressure gauge as steam was made for the first time since March(?) 1962, (4566 was officially withdrawn at Laira in early April).
The below photograph was one I took on the day just after the regulator was opened for the first time (and yes, there were a lot of us on the footplate when this happened!) and the engine was moved over the pit at Bewdley. Later that day 4566 was allowed out on to the Bewdley/Foley Park section running out to and back from Foley Park Tunnel. One thing soon became evident and that was having not had the time to set the valves she lost two beats as soon as she was “notched up”. This was corrected soon afterwards.
I don’t think anyone would have thought that in the 50 years since this happened that 4566 would amass over 100,000 miles in preservation. In addition to this and back when visits to other Heritage Railways wasn’t really considered she has since been to Port Sunlight (internal railway now closed I believe), Gwilli Railway (twice), Llangollen Railway (3 times), Glos & Warks Railway, South Devon Railway (twice), West Somerset Railway (twice), North Norfolk Railway and the Great Central Railway.
Her real claim to fame was being the last engine through Newton Abbot works (June – July 1960) where she received a Light Casual repair and repaint and having a significant role in Walt Disney’s film, “Candleshoe”, starring the late David Niven, a very young Jodie Foster (fresh from filming, “Taxi Driver” with Robert DeNiro). If you watch the film look out for the engine driver with the moustache. It was my late father; Gilbert Cook, who like me at the time was an SVR fireman!
I sincerely hope that January 2nd, 2017, was not the last time I had the pleasure of seeing 4566 in steam. As age creeps upon us it is now for the new trustees and younger generation to take up the baton and move this forward. I am pleased to say that funds are coming in but we still have a long way to go and donations of any kind are always welcome (we now operate a sales stand at SVR galas and will accept railway related items to sell). Please see our website: www4566.org.uk for more information.
A photograph of 4566 taken on the 29.06.1975, just after the regulator was opened for the first time (and yes, there were a lot of us on the footplate when this happened!) and the engine was moved over the pit at Bewdley. Copyright David Cook.
Many thanks David - we wish you all the best with the fundraising, it would be great to see the loco in steam once again.
St. Erth Westerns
Jay Hartley
I thought you may be interested in these "then and now" pictures.
The black and white was taken by dad, Brian Hartley. I don't have a date for it but it must have been whilst we were living in Newlyn which was from early 1968 until late 1971.
Looking at the sun angle and the leafless trees I'd say it's early spring, just after the clocks went forward. 1V70 was the Down Cornishman, 0906 Bradford-Penzance and was due at St Erth around 1700.
After discussion with Roger Geach we think the loco is in Maroon livery, it looks like a roundel on the cabside rather than a double arrow, and it looks like one of the shorter names.
Given their repaint dates the most likely are D1039 or D1056.
The colour shot is mine taken on Saturday 28 June 2025 with D1015 heading the Pathfinder Mazey Day Special, 1Z52 0603 Dorridge-Penzance.
The new footbridge is slightly further back and taller than the original so the perspective is a little different but there's enough there to be recognisable I think.
Sadly the Creamery and the sidings full of vans and milk tanks are gone!
The black and white was taken by dad, Brian Hartley. I don't have a date for it but it must have been whilst we were living in Newlyn which was from early 1968 until late 1971.
Looking at the sun angle and the leafless trees I'd say it's early spring, just after the clocks went forward. 1V70 was the Down Cornishman, 0906 Bradford-Penzance and was due at St Erth around 1700.
After discussion with Roger Geach we think the loco is in Maroon livery, it looks like a roundel on the cabside rather than a double arrow, and it looks like one of the shorter names.
Given their repaint dates the most likely are D1039 or D1056.
The colour shot is mine taken on Saturday 28 June 2025 with D1015 heading the Pathfinder Mazey Day Special, 1Z52 0603 Dorridge-Penzance.
The new footbridge is slightly further back and taller than the original so the perspective is a little different but there's enough there to be recognisable I think.
Sadly the Creamery and the sidings full of vans and milk tanks are gone!
An unidentified Western, possibly D1039 or D1056, heads west through St. Erth in the early 1970's. Copyright Brian Hartley.
Fast forward 50+ years and we see D1015 heading the Pathfinder Mazey Day Special, 1Z52 0603 Dorridge-Penzance on 28.06.2025. Copyright Jay Hartley.
Many thanks indeed, Jay - a great pair of images and a fascinating comparison.
A Crompton at rest
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
33061 takes a break at Bristol in this undated shot. Copyright Phil Smith.
Great machines, many thanks as always Phil.
Down by the river
Jon Hird
On an unusual (these days) Wednesday working to Fowey, 66091 passes Golant with 6G09 - the mid-day Goonbarrow - Fowey clay. 02.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
A second 'bite of the apple' achieved by repositioning the drone just above the treetops around Golant Crossing. The train passes the site of Golant Halt at a snails pace. 02.07.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
Horses to Wadebridge?
Can you help?
A friend and myself have discovered that in the 1950s and up to the 1970s, the Household Cavalry used to travel to Wadebridge by Train, including Horses (MK1 Boxes by the 70s), every June. Loading at Kensington Olympia.
Apart from photos (see below), we can find absolutely no information about why this was.
Is there any possibility that the Society may have some info or contacts please?
We are both hoping to model this service for June 1960.
Here is a link to some pics...Copyright posted on that site but the site itself is public: https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p910105639
Apart from photos (see below), we can find absolutely no information about why this was.
Is there any possibility that the Society may have some info or contacts please?
We are both hoping to model this service for June 1960.
Here is a link to some pics...Copyright posted on that site but the site itself is public: https://www.rail-online.co.uk/p910105639
We turned to local expert Andrew Jones for guidance, Andrew replied:
An interesting question, although I never personally witnessed horses being transported to Wadebridge during the 70's it would have been possible especially as June is Royal Cornwall month.
So one possible lead would be to contact the Royal Cornwall secretary.
An interesting question, although I never personally witnessed horses being transported to Wadebridge during the 70's it would have been possible especially as June is Royal Cornwall month.
So one possible lead would be to contact the Royal Cornwall secretary.
Many thanks to Andrew who raises a good point about Royal Cornwall. If anybody out there knows any more, please do get in touch - [email protected]
Another rapid response from Tom Lloyd:
I read the small piece about the Army taking horses to Wadebridge by train in the 1970's. The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery exercise their horses every summer in Cornwall on the beach. I'm not certain which beaches they use though. It would have made sense for them to travel by train in the past.
I read the small piece about the Army taking horses to Wadebridge by train in the 1970's. The Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery exercise their horses every summer in Cornwall on the beach. I'm not certain which beaches they use though. It would have made sense for them to travel by train in the past.
Many thanks, Tom.