South Devon Railway 50th anniversary from 6th to 14th April 2019

I haven't seen anything here on this, but this comes from their website -

The South Devon Railway is pleased to announce that GWR designed 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9466 is to visit for the attractions 50th anniversary celebrations between the 6th and 14th April 2019. The locomotive is appearing courtesy of Gwyneth Maude, the sister of the late Dennis Howells MBE who sadly passed away in August 2018. The locomotive, which appears in British Railways Black livery, will look at home in the Great Western Railway setting and will be paired with traditional carriages and wagons of a similar era. Nick Crook, of 9466 Locomotive Group, said “we are really looking forward to visiting the South Devon Railway and taking part in their 50th celebrations”. Although 9466 has travelled between Totnes and Buckfastleigh in September 2010, It is thought that this is the first time it, or indeed any member of the 94xx class, has hauled trains along the branch.

The South Devon Railway will be celebrating 50 years of the preserved line, which runs between Buckfastleigh and Totnes in the Dart Valley, by holding a Golden Anniversary celebration between the 6th and 14thApril. Other visiting locomotives confirmed for the event are Auto Tank 1450 and Pannier Tank 6430, which were previously based on the Devon line.

 

Home locos are 5526 & 6412 according to the website. I'm guessing that 5542 & L92 will be elsewhere, any ideas as to where?

 

50years this year ago I visited on the off chance and was amazed to find trains running. 64xx tank with 4 autotrailers.

 

One SDR loco is usually on hire to Chinnor from March each year, so it is probably L92 this year.

 

Doesn't L92 belong to the Worcester Locomotive Society?

 

I believe it does.

Link to Chinnor website showing locos pn hire from previous years https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/8/locomotives

 

5542 is at Chinnor from 31st March, according to https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/145/locomotive-roster-for-2019

 

I presume this will be the first time 6430 has actually run in steam on the SDR as it was bought in the mid 1960's as a basis of spare part by the Dart Valley for locos 6412 and 6435. It languished until 1990 when it was sold.

 

It's been a couple of times in recent years, once for a Gala with 6412 before the SDR bought it from the WSR (not sure but maybe Spring 2006?) and for the Summer 2012 season. Remember the last one as i'd hoped it would be in use during my summer holiday to Devon but it was 1369 and 3205

 

Gala with 6430, 6412, 3803, 5526 and 5786 was the end of May 2006.
6430 working the evening service finishing with the 2250 Totnes-Buckfastleigh.
Excellent gala.

 

Miss GWR 0-6-0 3205

 

A loco that for its preservation service alone deserves a place in the history books, and a member of a class that would have been very useful in preservation if more could have been saved.

Also of course a former S&D locomotive

 

Any news update on this event? Does anybody know when a timetable is likely to be released?

So far it's 1450, 6430 & 9466 visiting with 5526 & 6412 from the home fleet. Where's L92? Is it at Chinnor cause they have 5542 and I'd be surprised if they had 2 locos there and especially as they have a roster up for a few months with no mention of L92.

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th

Our opening weekend will feature a re-enactment of the first passenger train operated by the Dart Valley Railway which took place in April 1969. This will include the first operation of a four coach Auto Train since the early 1970s! In a South Devon Railway first, you will have the chance to travel our rails overnight with a special nocturnal timetable whilst sampling an on-board evening meal or Full English Breakfast.

Monday 8th – Friday 12th

Great Western and British Railways period branch line themes will set the scene for individual days. There will also be opportunities to drive a diesel locomotive hauling a goods train and ride on the footplate of a steam engine. For the professional or amateur photographer, you can enjoy one of our morning photography experiences.

Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th

To close the event, we will celebrate the Inaugural Special of May 1969 where Dr Beeching officially re-opened the railway. All the locomotives will be operating an intensive timetable whilst there will be a grand reunion of staff and volunteers of the past 50 years!

 

Chinnor have L92 on loan according to https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/article.php/77/l92-5786-from-mar-2019

No idea where 5542 is going.

 

I too visited for the first time in 1969 and was likewise amazed to find a Pannier in the middle of a four coach train.

 

Not uncommon in the Plymouth area in GWR days with auto trains. There was an 0-6-0 loco (2120) that had dummy sides with windows fitted to resemble the auto coaches that it pulled/pushed.

 

I hope the K&ESR have been approached about 1638, even if they said no. Would love to see it at this event.

 

In the latest HR it states planned guest 1638 is still under repair. They also state that if BWR are able to spare it, 6435 could attend.

 

Have 1501, 1638 and 9466 (all 3x Hawksworth Panniers) even been at an event together?