Bridge weight limit leads to ‘42XX’ leaving Bodmin

GWR ‘42XX’ No. 4247 has departed the Bodmin & Wenford Railway (BWR) for overhaul at the East Somerset Railway (ESR) – and when it returns to action, the 2-8-0 will operate at the Dartmouth Steam Railway (DSR).

BWR chairman David Nelson-Brown told The RM: “No. 4247 arrived at Bodmin in 2005 and has been a popular mainstay of the operating fleet. Unfortunately, a recent review of our structures highlighted that it could no longer operate over one of our bridges. This led to the difficult decision, made with its owners 4247 Limited, that a move away from Bodmin was in our mutual best interests. We wish No. 4247 well in the next stage of its long life of service on the West Country’s railways.” No. 4247 has been contracted to the DSR for a 20-year period. Work will not start on the overhaul of No. 4247 until the current project, GWR Prairie

No. 4110, also for the DSR, is completed, which is expected later this year. In the meantime, visitors to Cranmore shed will be able to see the loco up close – the 2-8-0 having arrived in mid-January.

When complete, No. 4247 will join fellow ‘42XX’ No. 4277 Hercules at Paignton.