Spa Valley Railway

Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email: enquiriesatspavalleyrailway.co.uk
(Please replace 'at' with the @ symbol)

(Photo © J. Nye)

GWR 64XX Pannier No. 6412

GWR 0-6-0PT No. 6412, Built November 1934,
Wheel Arrangement - 0-6-0PT (Pannier Tank)
Swindon Works, England
Power Classification - A/2P
Driving Wheel Diameter - 4ft 7½in
Cylinders - 16½in x 24in
Stephenson valve gear
Nominal Tractive Effort - 16,510lbs
Weight in working order - 47 tons
Boiler Pressure - 165 PSI
Route Availability - Yellow

The class were designed at Swindon works by Charles Collett for the Great Western Railway (GWR) in 1932, to replace the ageing pannier tanks on branch line trains. For this, the class were fitted for push-pull train operation.

6412 was introduced into service in November 1934 and was shedded at Landore shed, Swnasea, where it remained for the next 22 years, operating the local passenger services from Swansea. Destinations from here included Camarthen, Neath, Port Talbot, as well as Pontypool. The Push-Pull services were taken over by large Prairie tanks with mainline coaches in 1954, and so 6412 moved to Ebbw Vale shed in August 1956, where it remained for seven years, working to places like Newport.

In July 1963, 6412 left South Wales moved to Exmouth Junction where following a brief period, the locomotive was withdrawn from service in November 1964. It was officially withdrawn from Gloucester shed, although it is doubted whether the engine ever worked from here.

In July 1965, 6412, along with sister engine 6430 were preserved by the Dart Valley Railway, Totnes, where 6412 operated passenger trains when the line opened in 1970. In late 1975, the engine was sold to the West Somerset Railway Association, where it was transferred to in 1976 and hauled some of the line's opening day trains. It became a regular performer along the line prior to overhaul in 1978. Returning to service in 1984, it became a frequent performer on the West Somerset's lighter services before being withdrawn for another overhaul in January 1993.

Overhauled by the West Somerset at Williton, the engine returned to steam five years later in May 1998. In that year it became a roving ambassador for the WSR, visiting the North Norfolk and Dean Forest Railways, before making a month long visit to the Spa Valley in the December. It has since visited a number of other preserved railways around Britain, as well as seeing services on the West Somerset.

Livery - Unlined GWR Green with small shirtbutton crests.

Current Status - Visited Spa Valley Railway - December 1998 - January 1999

Return to Stock List