PANNIER 9466 RETURNING TO WEST SOMERSET… BRIEFLY

Although it is currently restricted from running over the majority of the West Somerset Railway, ‘94XX’ 0-6-0PT No. 9466 will be running over a section of the line in August, albeit briefly.

Purchased from the family of the late Dennis Howells by WSR plc chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt in June (SR494), the ‘Red Route’-restricted pannier tank will be running over the Bishops Lydeard-Norton Fitzwarren section of the WSR – the only part of the line to retain its ‘Red Route’ status (see story above/SR493) – during the WSR Association’s Steam & Vintage Rally on August 3/4.

It will bank the WSR’s ‘Severn Coast Express’ from Norton Fitzwarren to Bishops Lydeard on the evening before the rally, then provide for brake van and cab rides in partnership with Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Works No. 1219 on the Saturday and Sunday, before returning to the South Devon Railway, where it is based for the summer season.

WSR spokesman Dick Wood said: “This is effectively a gift to the WSR, to help to get the whole line back to being a ‘Red Route’. All monies received on brake van/footplate rides will be donated to the track appeal.”