GWR 6430 Pannier Tank Steam Locomotive Photograph by Gordon James

GWR 6430 Pannier Tank Steam Locomotive

by Gordon James

Canvas Print

$38

Framed Print

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Art Print

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Poster

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Metal Print

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Acrylic Print

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Wood Print

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Tapestry

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Throw Pillow

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Fleece Blanket

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Duvet Cover

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Shower Curtain

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Bath Towel

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Ornament

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Jigsaw Puzzle

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Tote Bag

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Weekender Tote Bag

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Zip Pouch

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Portable Battery Charger

$46

Yoga Mat

$60

Greeting Card

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Spiral Notebook

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Sticker

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iPhone Case

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Beach Towel

$32

Round Beach Towel

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Weekender Tote Bag

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Coffee Mug

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Men's Clothing

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Women's Clothing

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Youth Clothing

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Toddler Clothing

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Baby Clothing

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Title

GWR 6430 Pannier Tank Steam Locomotive

Artist

Gordon James

Medium

Photograph - Photography Digital

Description

GWR 6430 Pannier Tank Steam Locomotive. The engine was built in 1937. After a couple of years at Kidderminster shed, it spent most of its working life in South Wales and ended its career in the West Country at Yeovil Shed.

6430 was built at Swindon in 1937. After a couple of years at Kidderminster shed, it spent most of its working life in South Wales and ended its career in the West Country at Yeovil shed.

BR motive power depot allocations since 1948.

Date Arrived Depot
January 1948 Pontypool Road
September 1954 Ebbw Junction
May 1959 Severn Tunnel Junction
August 1961 Radyr
May 1962 Plymouth Laira
January 1963 Tondu
March 1963 Exmouth Junction
November 1963 Yeovil Town
6430 was fitted with auto train apparatus, as was the whole class.

Withdrawal in October1964 was followed by sale to John Cashmore Ltd as scrap, but immediately 6430 was re-sold to the Dart Valley Railway as a source of spares for 6412 and 6435. It was towed there by 6412 in June 1966.

Throughout much of its time on the Dart Valley Railway, 6430 was out of sight, painted in red oxide primer, which turned progressively more pink with age and wear. Eventually, with no hope of her being restored, she was put up for sale.

Fortunately, it was bought, eventually ending up with its current owner as a kit of parts in 1990. It spent some time undergoing restoration at Long Marston MOD depot, along with 5199, before moving to Llangollen in 1996.

Having lost many parts to other engines, restoration work was slow. Repairs to its cracked cylinder blocks were tackled by the Severn Valley Railway during 1996, and new pannier tanks were fabricated and fitted at Llangollen. After manufacture of new axleboxes, re-wheeling took place in April 1998, and work progressed slowly towards its return to steam. New motion parts, coupling and connecting rods were cast and machined to size, whilst other parts were found elsewhere and purchased. A major problem was the badly corroded state of the boiler. This necessitated a completely new boiler barrel being made and fitted to the existing smokebox and firebox.

The work undertaken over eight years represents a major rebuild of an engine which once had no hope of being returned to steam, and has presented its owner and the loco department with many challenges.

6430 first moved under its own steam came in December 2003. Work to finish of the locomotive continued, and it undertook a successful trial run along the whole length of the Llangollen Railway in February 2004.

Following a successful period of operation 6430 was taken out of service for overhaul and returned to service on the Llangollen Railway in May 2015.

The locomotive was hired to the Nene Valley railway between April and October 2019, where this image was taken.