GWR 0-6-0PT 6412 returning to SDR

The West Somerset Railway Association has agreed to sell former GWR 0-6-0PT no 6412, to the South Devon Railway after almost 90% of WSRA members expressed a view in favour of the sale.

The pannier tank loco has been on the West Somerset Railway since it re-opened in 1976.

The loco is actually returning ‘home’. 6412 was originally purchased for preservation on the Buckfastleigh line and hauled the railway's re-opening train on 5th April 1969. It was subsequently sold by the then owners, Dart Valley Light Railway, to the WSR.

The WSRA decided to sell the engine because it is now considered to be underpowered for the heavy trains on today's West Somerset Railway. The monies raised from the sale will go to help fund the overhaul of the WSRA's other ex GWR locomotives, Nos. 4561 and newly acquired 7821 Ditcheat Manor.

WSRA Chairman Robin White commented: “It’s important that everyone realises 6412 will not be far away, will be well looked after at the SDR and I am sure we will see her back here occasionally in the future.”

South Devon Railway Trust chairman Alan Taylor said: “We’re very pleased that 6412 is returning to its home turf again, hopefully just in time for our 40th anniversary season in 2009, but it’ll be quite some time before she returns to traffic because the boiler requires some costly work.

“The engine has a strong link with the South Devon line because it hauled the opening special train in 1969, so we’ll be launching a fund raising appeal soon because we know people will be keen to see it operating auto trains here and running in a branch line environment.”

15.10.08