94xx class Pannier Tank visits the South Devon Railway
- travelling from Plymouth Laira TMD to Totnes
by the main line.
The 94xx class pannier tanks were designed by F.W.Hawkesworth in 1947 when he felt it was neccessary to 'modernise' Collett's 57xx design, which in themselves had been an extremely successful locomotive. In total 200 were built in addition to no. 9400 which was the prototype; 50 at Swindon and 150 split between Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns, W G Bagnall, Yorkshire Engine Company, Hunslett and Hudswell Clarke.
9466 came to rest in Woodham's yard at Barry in 1965 - just 13 years after it had been built. It was rescued in 1975 but it was not until Dennis Howells M.B.E. bought the locomotive in 1977 that an eight year restoration began. Mr Howells has owned the locomotive ever since and an early decision to complete the work to MT276 main line standards has proved to be a worthwhile investment.
During the last two weeks 9466 has been visiting Cornwall, running the Looe Valley Explorer - Liskeard-Coombe Jc, Looe-Coombe Jc-Liskeard, and The Royal Albert - Plymouth-Saltash-Liskeard, Liskeard-Saltash-Plymouth. This series of tours finished on Sunday 26th September and on Monday 27th 9466 was scheduled to leave Plymouth Laira TMD at 10.45am to run along the main line to Totnes NR and then on to the South Devon Railway. Running light engine 9466 stormed Hemerdon in style and passed our photographers some six minutes early. The 94xx is now at Buckfastleigh in the workshops of South Devon Railway Engineering where it will receive attention to its side tanks.
We present a short selection of photographs of the journey of 9466 from Plymouth to Totnes and on to Buckfastleigh. My thanks go to my main line shooting colleagues Paul Arthur and Julian Moore for covering the ascent of Hemerdon on the main line, Staverton, Hood Bridge and Caddaford.
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9466 on Hemerdon from Sparkwell Bridge |
On Hemerdon Bank
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The first service train of the day travels down with the Staff,
it will return to Bishops Bridge with a Ticket. The staff
will be taken to Totnes NR station where it will be given
to the driver of 9466 |
The point from the transfer spur is not connected to a ground
frame, so the Temporary Block Post Signalman must release
the lock, remove the scotch and lever the blades over before
accepting any loco from the transfer spur.
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9466 has entered the transfer spur, the main lines are
seen behind the loco. |
The Hawksworth pannier is now alongside Totnes
Littlehempston station, but still on NR metals.
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Safely on SDR metals 9466, with the Staff on board,
waits for the service train to clear the section before
setting off for Buckfastleigh. |
Dennis Howells M.B.E. drove the engine and his lady fireman
is seen looking out of the cab on the way in to Staverton.
Bob Vaughton was the SDR's 'man on the footplate'.
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Dennis Howells rolls 9466 gently through Staverton station |
- and enters the loop at Bishops Bridge.
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5526 with the 12.15 ex Buckfastleigh to Totnes service
passes the pannier waiting quietly in the loop. |
The board is off and 9466 has the road for Buckfastleigh.
This is the first time this locomotive has been on the SDR.
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At Riverford (Hood) Bridge |
and progressing through the Caddaford curve.
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Buckfastleigh reached after a safe and uneventful
journey from Laira. |
Dennis Howells M.B.E. owner of 9466 |
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And so that's what all the excitement was about.........! |
Photographs Copyright
©
Paul Arthur
Julian Moore
Sarah Anne Harvey |
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