Dartmouth Steam Railway General Discusssion

Yes 4555 is still due to go to the ESR.

 

The original point was why did they not invest in locomotives from 1972 until 2002 when they purchased 75014, to which your earlier post (884) replied 'cause they are a business' (sic), but this line has always been busy and used 7 coach rakes during the summer.

From 1973 to 2002 the home fleet was basically 5239, 7827, 4555, 4588 and 6435, of which the two Prairies ran the Totnes line at various times. 7827 was out of service between 1993 and 2005 I believe.

Yes they hired 4920 and a 4MT tank (can't remember the number now) in the 80s/90s, but until 2002 when 75014 was purchased there was no investment in the fleet, it then took until 2008 for the second new engine in 4277, the hirings of 4936/7820/5542/6023/7752 has helped out during this decade, and then the agreement to hire the S160 recently and the purchase of 4110 this year. We also had to wait the best part of 15 years to see 75014 return too (withdraw in 2004).

But that's all in the past now.

4588 and 6435 have moved on, 4555 is coming back and will probably be a touring engine the majority of it's ticket. I guess it's a good engine to have as back up as well.

7827 and 75014 currently in service, 2253 (S160) about to arrive and 5239 will be back for next season. 4110 to be restored at Cranmore and no doubt 4277 will be overhauled at Churston once 4555 is sent to the ESR for two years.

I do wonder what the name of 4110 will be. I saw once before somebody put Gladiator as the name of 4555 on a photo, on flickr I believe, but the engine was not carrying a nameplate. I assume they just got it wrong but that would fit the theme of the names used on previously unnammed locomotives, both past and present.

 

80064 was the standard tank.

 

After a sucessful first year of operation last year the Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company ran the trains again this year with enhanced decorations and a couple of extra coaches to meet demand. The same locos were used with 75014 Braveheart at the Paignton end and Class 37 6975 at the Kingswear end.
I did video all the trains on the day I was there, 7th December but I have featured 6975 in this short video because of the awesome sound of the 37 climbing Goodrington Bank.

 

Good video.

 

I hear that 6046 is coming back on hire again for 2020, if this information correct
I had imagined that with 5239,7827,75014 and 2253 that would be enough.

 

I read suggestions somewhere else on this forum, when said engine was returning to steam, that Pitchford Hall would be on hire to Dartmouth in 2020 as well.

I get the impression that any or all of the rumours here will turn out to not come to pass!

 

Will 4555 be doing any running in on the line before going to south Devon & then East Somerset?


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Yes

 

I understand that you could ride in the brake van on the weekly coal train to Kingswear, is this still offered?

 

Is there any info on 4555? When is it likely to be used at the P&D? Wouldn't mind trying to get down for a run over the gradients.

 

I can't answer those questions but in an earlier post you mention naming. 4555 carried the name Warrior in the past, so maybe it will in future.

 

Yes I have indeed seen 4555 run with the Warrior nameplates.

The point I was making was that I saw a flickr photo incorrectly saying the loco was called 'Gladiator'... could be a good name for 4110 fitting the theme of the tanks on the line and of those previously based here.

 

'Gladiator' has some authenticity on GWR metals - Castle class No. 5076 was named 'Gladiator' during WWII

 

When does the S160 arrive please

 

4555 is listed as one of the locos taking part in the ESR's steam gala in March.

 

2253 departs CVR 5th Feb.

 

And is running at the SDR 14th and 15th March.