Great Western Prairie Tanks At the Dartmouth Steam Railway and riverboat company.

Hi All,

I was wondering what the current positions of both 4555 and 4588.

i know one of these two are displayed in the head shunt at paignton.

but unsure where the other one is and what identiity of the two at these locations are

if anyone can help me out it'll be great

many thanks
YRM,.

 

I believe (Stand to be corrected) 4588 is under the bridge at Churston, or at least it was last year. Out of ticket and up for sale?

 

4555 was under the bridge last year.

 

...and still was earlier today!

 

Hello,
Is this loco still for sale.?.......
I do not have the dosh nor a site!
More is the pity.........!

Nick
GWR813

 

Wikipedia suggests that 4555 is awaiting overhaul once the Standard 4 is finished, while 4588 is the one for sale.

I've not seen 4588 on either of my visits to the DSR, but I think someone told me on one of them that it was at the back of Paignton shed. Hopefully someone from the DSR can confirm its current location and status.

 

Hello
That is 4588 For sale?

 

Both locomotives are at Churston. 4588 is still for sale and 4555 is slated to be overhauled after the BR Std.4 is running again.

 

4555 has gone in to Churston workshops for a stripdown prior to a overhaul.

 

I dug out a few photos from spring 2013 showing 4588 at the back of Paignton workshops - apologies for the quality, I took them by pressing my phone up to the glass!

 

4588 is at the back of the shed in Paignton, 4555 is at Churston. The DSR are offering tours of the Churston works on Friday 15th August as part of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations so it and 75014 should be easy to view then.

 

Loco prices are to the British like house prices, and the Beebo says 'some people have benefitted from this' In Oz they would say the price of locos has become less affordable!

 

You'd have to be weak in the head to swap one of these for a standard four, and it seems odd that they're overhauling and keeping the one with lower water capacity. still, there must be method in their madness!

 

4555 is well loved by all on the DSR. As far as 75014 is concerned, as far as I know, she was bought as a 'stop gap' by a previous GM.
Thinking, regarding this loco, may have changed since it was taken out of traffic - just a supposition of course. There has been no hurry to have it returned to service as it was not required and no one wants a loco without work and its 'clock' ticking away.

The intensive timetable suits tank engines rather than those with a tender. in my view. Since the time when both prairies became 'time expired', loadings - and consequently the number of cars being hauled - has increased further not only due to the great popularity of the line, extra boats cruises and of course the paddle steamer. Those who know the line will know that it has heavy grades, not just a ramble along flat or undulating countryside.

 

I'm intrigued as to why an intensive timetable suits tank locos better. What's the difference beyond coal and water capacity? On the NYMR, at least, tank engines are regarded as "timetable wreckers" because of their need for more frequent coaling and watering.

 

In my post I stated that it was only my view. The 2-8-0T's that are operated have a higher tractive effort than Lydham Manor 7827 and Braveheart 75014. They seem to keep their feet better on wet rail on the more severe grades. It also looks better* - again in my view - than a loco running tender first. Lines with a turntable either end can overcome this aspect but turning locos does take more time than a run around does. Regarding coal and water as the line is not a long one every time the locos arrive at Paignton they can soon be replenished, so there is no difficulty arising.

* After all the railway operates principally for, tourists and many local folks. There are railway enthusiasts obviously, but the principal objective is to offer an enjoyable experience that the public can relate to - hence the names on locos - and of course to pay the bills. It is a PLC - no handouts.

 

I belive once 75014 is complete (should be next year as the boiler is being returned from Crewe later this year), 5239 will be next in line for overall and should get withdrawn at the end of next season meanwhile 4555 will be under overhaul if it's financially viable to do so.