GWR 2-6-2T 55425542 is one if our visitors at our 40th anniversary celebrations from 5th - 13th April and is currently undergoing repairs at Buckfastleigh. 5542 was built in 1928 by the GWR at Swindon Works and spent part of her life at Cheltenham Malvern Road shed. She was withdrawn in 1961 and went to Barry scrapyard. 5542 was purchased from there by a group of supporters of the West Somerset Railway in 1979 and there followed a 23-year long restoration. The engine was returned to steam in 2002. Since then, she has successfully worked on the West Somerset Railway and in 2005, she came to us on the South Devon Railway for a season. In 2007/8, she was based at the Gloucestersire & Warwickshire Railway, 5542 is owned by 5542 Ltd, who describe her as the ‘Planet’s Favourite Prairie’!
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