NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 85
The Life and Times of Prairie 4591
Michael L. Roach
4591 was completed at Swindon in March 1927, one of nine of the 4575-class 2-6-2s completed that month. It was sent new to Taunton, where it stayed five years.
It had two spells at Swindon (1933-1935) and less than a month in 1964, where it was withdrawn from service on 10 August 1964. Apart from that it spent the whole of its working life in Somerset, Devon or Cornwall.
4591 had two spells at Laira Shed, Plymouth in 1932-33 returning in March 1941 to spend 22 continuous years at the shed until being transferred to Yeovil Town on 1 June 1963. During its long spell at Plymouth it would have spent much of its time working the 34-mile route to Launceston GW on passenger and freight trains.
It achieved well over one million miles in its 37-year life. Eleven members of the 100 4575-class built have been preserved but 4591 was not one of them and it was scrapped.
I photographed 4591 ten times in the last 14 months of the Launceston Branch on both passenger and goods train. The engine was easily recognisable to some, who kept abreast of such things, because it ran without its smokebox number plate for some months as shown in the accompanying photographs mostly from 1962. There was also a distinctive welding repair on the right-hand side tank.
It had two spells at Swindon (1933-1935) and less than a month in 1964, where it was withdrawn from service on 10 August 1964. Apart from that it spent the whole of its working life in Somerset, Devon or Cornwall.
4591 had two spells at Laira Shed, Plymouth in 1932-33 returning in March 1941 to spend 22 continuous years at the shed until being transferred to Yeovil Town on 1 June 1963. During its long spell at Plymouth it would have spent much of its time working the 34-mile route to Launceston GW on passenger and freight trains.
It achieved well over one million miles in its 37-year life. Eleven members of the 100 4575-class built have been preserved but 4591 was not one of them and it was scrapped.
I photographed 4591 ten times in the last 14 months of the Launceston Branch on both passenger and goods train. The engine was easily recognisable to some, who kept abreast of such things, because it ran without its smokebox number plate for some months as shown in the accompanying photographs mostly from 1962. There was also a distinctive welding repair on the right-hand side tank.
4591 pounds up the bank past MP 2, a quarter mile south of Cann Viaduct on 18 Nov 1961 on the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston. Cann Viaduct was originally called River Plym Viaduct. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 is seen leaving Bickleigh Viaduct with the 12.40 Launceston to Plymouth on 25 November 1961. The village near the skyline is Shaugh Prior, which was served by the station at Shaugh Bridge Platform. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 on the 2.20pm Launceston to Tavistock Junction goods heads south across Riverford Viaduct on 10 March 1962 ontime at 4.38pm SO. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 enters Lydford Station with the 10.15am Launceston to Plymouth on Saturday 14 April 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 passes Goodameavy (between Clearbrook and Shaugh Bridge) with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston on 13 October 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 enters platform 8 at Plymouth Station with an ECS train of six coaches on 20 October 1962. The engine and first two coaches will form the 3.05pm to Launceston, and four coaches will be left in the platform to form another train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 slows to a stop at Horrabridge Station with the 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston on 24 November 1962. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 hurries up the Plym Valley at Riverford LE on 28 December 1962 the day before passenger services ended. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
4591 enters Yelverton Station in a blizzard with the very last 3.05pm Plymouth to Launceston on 29 December 1962, strengthened to 4C, at 4.12pm (31L). Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks as always Michael, another very interesting read.
For more of Michaels work, please click here.
For more of Michaels work, please click here.
Weedkiller at Silverton
David Tozer
GBRf Class 66’s 66719 ‘Metroland’ and 66757 ‘The West Somerset Railway’ with the 1359 3Q98 Exeter Riverside to Margam T.C passing Silverton. 17.05.24, copyright David Tozer.
Many thanks David, a nice sunny day and some colourful locomotives to photograph, what more can you ask for?
Avon Valley Railway - Littleton
Paul Negus
Hi Keith
Pictured yesterday at the Avon Valley Railway is the boiler and smokebox assembly from Littleton No 5, now residing in the second Platform road at Bitton. This is a powerful Manning Wardle product of 1922 and is now owned by the AVR, having been generously donated by the last owner. There are no projections for when it might return to service.
Kind regards
Paul
Pictured yesterday at the Avon Valley Railway is the boiler and smokebox assembly from Littleton No 5, now residing in the second Platform road at Bitton. This is a powerful Manning Wardle product of 1922 and is now owned by the AVR, having been generously donated by the last owner. There are no projections for when it might return to service.
Kind regards
Paul
The boiler of Littleton No. 5 awaiting restoration at the Avon Valley Railway. Copyright Paul Negus.
The boiler of Littleton No. 5 awaiting restoration at the Avon Valley Railway. Copyright Paul Negus.
The boiler of Littleton No. 5 awaiting restoration at the Avon Valley Railway. Copyright Paul Negus.
Many thanks Paul
Swindon - 16.05.24
Ken Mumford
IET 80201 heads for Bristol (Temple Meads] passing 4L33 [Wentlogg to London Gateway] headed by 66519 - this train had been held for a few minutes alongside 'The Works', then was further held on the UML to allow 1L16 [Carmarthen-Swansea-Paddington] to get ahead of it. 66519 with 4L33 was allowed to proceed eastwards 3 minutes after 1L16 had left - the driver of 66519 put n the power immediately BUT yet again this train had more empty trucks than loaded ones! Copyright Ken Mumford.
IET 80201 heads for Bristol (Temple Meads] passing 4L33 [Wentlogg to London Gateway] headed by 66519 - this train had been held for a few minutes alongside 'The Works', then was further held on the UML to allow 1L16 [Carmarthen-Swansea-Paddington] to get ahead of it. 66519 with 4L33 was allowed to proceed eastwards 3 minutes after 1L16 had left - the driver of 66519 put n the power immediately BUT yet again this train had more empty trucks than loaded ones! Copyright Ken Mumford.
IET 80201 heads for Bristol (Temple Meads] passing 4L33 [Wentlogg to London Gateway] headed by 66519 - this train had been held for a few minutes alongside 'The Works', then was further held on the UML to allow 1L16 [Carmarthen-Swansea-Paddington] to get ahead of it. 66519 with 4L33 was allowed to proceed eastwards 3 minutes after 1L16 had left - the driver of 66519 put n the power immediately BUT yet again this train had more empty trucks than loaded ones! Copyright Ken Mumford.
66652 with 6V15 [Swindon Stores to Toton Up Sidings] waits quietly to leave later that day. This locomotive has recently been re-geared. This brings the maximum speed of the loco down from 75mph to 60mph. It also increases the tractive effort of the loco. Since the Class 60s have been withdrawn some of the trains now require two normal class 66 locos to pull the train instead of 1 class 60. By re-gearing some of the 66s it is hoped to eliminate the double heading. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Taken the previous day on a much sunnier day is the statue of Brunel in the Town Centre. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks, Ken.
Spring colours in the Trenance Valley
Jon Hird
GWR 43198 leads 2P15 (The 12:50 Penzance - Paddington) over Trenance Viaduct. 43004 was on the other end. A sunny day with lots of nice, bright spring colours providing a bit of contrast to the dark GWR green livery. 17.05.2024, copyright Jon Hird.