No. 1420 (4820)

Could ‘14XX’ No. 1420 return to steam at the South Devon Railway in 2019 – to help celebrate 50 years since the line reopened under Dart Valley auspices? With its latest overhaul now under way, it’s a possibility, but there’s still a great deal of work to do. The locomotive was taken out of service and placed in store before the start of the 2006 season owing to a leaking foundation ring. It had been a popular performer at the SDR during the previous eight years, clocking up over 29,000 miles on the seven-mile BuckfastleighTotnes branch, as well as visiting several other preserved lines, such as the Gwili, Chinnor & Princes Risborough and Severn Valley railways. Now, says SDR Association President Richard Elliott: “The chassis is in reasonable condition as a result of extensive work at Tyseley [its previous overhaul having been carried out there between 1996 and 1998] although new tanks and bunker are required.” However, he adds: “The boiler is very old and tired. The barrel [which was new at the Tyseley overhaul] should go again, but most of the outer firebox is well worn and will need to be largely replaced. A new backhead has already been pressed, along with one for No. 1466 for the Great Western Society. “The desirable target date is 2019, which is the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the Buckfastleigh branch in 1969, but this is a considerable challenge in view of the level of work required. The plan is to get stuck into the ‘14XX’s’ boiler as soon as we finish that of pannier tank No. 1369, but we aren’t quite sure how long that piece of string is yet! “The aim is eventually to have four autocoaches available [Nos. 225, 228, 233 and, possibly, the long-term restoration project of No. 240] which, with three or maybe four autofitted engines available [No. 1420, ‘4575’ 2-6-2Ts Nos. 5526 and 5542, and ‘64XX’ 0-6-0PT No. 6412] could provide plenty of variety!”

Status: Under overhaul – possible steaming date of 2019 Location: South Devon Railway Owners: SDR Association Built: Swindon, 1933 Withdrawn: Gloucester Horton Road, week ending October 31 1964

PETER ZABEK ‘14XX’ No. 1420 completes the classic branch line scene at the South Devon Railway, hauling an autocoach over Nursery Pool Bridge during its previous operational spell in the 1990s.