GWR 56XX
No. 5619
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Our flagship steam locomotive was the reason the railway was formed. Unlike most heritage railways, we started with a locomotive and then built a railway for it to run on.
INFORMATION
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GWR 5619 leaving Heath Hill Tunnel |
HISTORY
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The Welsh Valleys
5619 was designed by Charles Collett and built by the Great Western Railway at their Swindon Workshops in March 1925. She was designed to haul heavy coal trains and other freight in the South Wales valleys, but could also be seen hauling passenger trains as well.
During its employment under BR ownership in spent two years at Abercynon, before moving to Barry in 1950. It remained at Barry depot until withdrawn from service in June 1964 by which time it had covered 778,263 miles. |
GWR No. 5619 at Old Oak Common |
GWR No. 5619 being delivered from Barry Scrapyard |
Saved for Telford5619 was originally purchased in 1972 by the Telford Development Corporation from Barry scrapyard for static display at Horsehay Goods Shed.
Initially the loco was only going to be a static exhibit to tell the story of the local railways, however enthusiasts in the area had other plans. Individuals who had helped with procuring the loco for TDC convinced them that having a steam locomotive next to a soon to be closed railway was the perfect opportunity for a heritage passenger service. Telford Horsehay Steam Trust was formed in 1976 to restore the locomotive to operational condition in Horsehay Goods Shed |
Return to SteamThe loco was initially wrongly identified as 6662, due to some parts of 5619 having 6662's number stamped on them.
In 1981, the loco steamed for the first time making the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust the smallest railway to restore an ex Barry locomotive which is still operating. On the first public demonstrations, they soon realised that the reverser was the opposite way round which was soon rectified. It ran at Horsehay and many other preserved lines until its boiler certificate expired in 1991. In 1998 lottery funding was obtained to allow a full overhaul to begin which was completed in 2008. Due to a cracked tube plate another overhaul took place in 2014. |
GWR 5619 on its first public demonstration |
CURRENT STATUS5619's boiler certificate expired at the end of 2025, which allowed it to celebrate its 100th birthday. The loco has since gone away for overhaul at xxxx.
We hope the overhaul to take between 1-2 years as limited work is believed to be required beyond the normal boiler overhaul, new gaskets and new tyres. To keep updated on 5619's overhaul, check out its Facebook page : |
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Traveling TalesRegular visitors to TSR over the years may have noticed that 5619 is often away from site. The locomotive acts as our roving ambassador, by being hired out to other railways.
Since being first restored in 1981, it was decided that 5619 was a more powerful loco than required to run on our line during regular services. To help keep the loco going, its instead been hired out to bring in valuable funds for its overhauls. The loco generally returns to TSR at Christmas to pull The Polar Express Train Ride as well as other special events. Have a look at your local heritage line, theres a chance 5619 has visited across the years. |
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SUPPORT THE LOCOMOTIVE5619 is was withdrawn for overhaul at the end of 2025, as its 10 yearly boiler certificate had expired. We hope to send the loco away for overhaul in 2026.
The boiler will need to be removed for overhaul, including re-tubing. It has been noted that the tires on the loco are beginning to wear down, meaning a new set of tires on the driving wheels are required. A full repaint of the motion, tanks and cab will take place to make her look as good as new among many other jobs. These and many other tasks will help bring our beloved engine back into service. If you could either donate or lend a hand and volunteer it will help bring the loco back as soon as possible. |
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