No. 1442 (4842)
Status: Static display Location: Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life Owners: Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life Built: Swindon, April 1935 Withdrawn: Exmouth Junction, May 7 1965
When is a ‘14XX’ like a ‘Duchess’? When it is No. 1442. Like LMS ‘8P’ No. 46235 City of Birmingham, which is incarcerated inside the Thinktank Museum and never likely to run again, No. 1442 remains static and cold inside the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life and, in all probability, is unlikely to turn a wheel in anger ever again. The Collett 0-4-2T is like the Stanier ‘Pacific’ in another respect; while the ‘Princess Coronation’ is on display in the city after which it is named, No. 1442 calls home the town with which it will forever be synonymous. Working from Exeter Shed (83C) during 1962/63, the ‘14XX’ ran on both the Exe Valley line from Exeter St Davids to Dulverton, and the Culm Valley line from Tiverton Junction to Hemyock. Its greatest claim to fame, however, was being a regular performer on the branch between Tiverton Junction and Tiverton, hauling the train affectionately known as the ‘Tivvy Bumper’. One of the last two ‘14XXs’ to be withdrawn (in May 1965), No. 1442 was bought by Viscount Amory and lightly restored for what would be its swan song. In October 1965, it became the last steam locomotive to work over the branch, a year after regular passenger services had been suspended. After carrying out its solemn duty, No. 1442 was handed over to the Tiverton Museum, where it has remained on display ever since. A return to steam is very unlikely, as it is understood that it can never leave Tiverton, so instead it stands as a reminder of the area’s rich railway history.