Gas tubrine loco 18000 at Toddington  


2885 class 2-8-0 no. 3845 presents a sorry picture in its ex-Barry scrapyard condition. Shorn of many of its parts it will require an enormous amount of work, time and expense to get it running once again. Compare this to classmates 2807 and 3803 running during GWR175 to show just what can be achieved! The last time 3845 was steamed was in 1964 when it was withdrawn and sent to Barry to await its fate. It was spared the cutter’s torch and is now owned by the Dinmore Manor group who plan to start work on the engine later this year.  


On static display because its boiler certificate has expired is former Port Talbot Railway Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST no. 813, illustrating the fact that the Great Western absorbed a number of small railways, especially in South Wales, during the early years of the 20th Century. The engine is pictured here during an earlier visit to the Honeybourne Line (Photograph: Ian Crowder)  

There will be a number of steam and diesel locomotives on static display around the Toddington site. They include (subject to availability):

• The NRM's replica of the broad gauge loco Iron Duke
• GWR 2885 class 3845 in Barry scrapyard condition. This locomotive will show the enormous amount of work undertaken by restoration groups to return a locomotive to running order. Compare this locomotive with the condition of 3803 which will be running during the gala.
• GWR Castle class locomotive 5051 Earl Bathurst
• Gas Turbine locomotive 18000. Ordered by the GWR but operated by BR(W)
• Class 14 diesel hydraulic D9555, the very last locomotive build at Swindon works in 1965.
• On the days it is not operating David Shepherd's 9F 92203 Black Prince, built at Swindon works, will be on display.
• GWR former Port Talbot Railway 0-6-0ST no. 813 -  The GWR absorbed a number of smaller railways, particularly in South Wales, along with their locomotives. Many were rebuilt and received the 'GWR treatment', such as the Port Talbot Railway 1901-built Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST no. 26, which became GWR no. 813.  In 1935 it was sold into industrial service, being withdrawn from Backworth Colliery in Northumberland in 1967. The engine retained many of its GWR fittings and is now owned and was restored by the 813 Fund. 

As and when we hear details of more locomotives they will be added as will pictures.