At Didcot Railway Centre, the boiler from Hall Class No. 4942 “Maindy Hall” has been steam tested.

This will be used in their project to built Saint Class No. 2999 “Lady of Legend”.

4942 “Maindy Hall” is the donor engine for DRC’s project to build a Churchward Saint, after none were saved for preservation.

All were being scraped by 1953. The Saint Class was designed by Churchward and became one of six standard classes planned out by him in 1901.

History of this class of Steam Locomotive

Churchward’s policy of standardisation on the Great Western Railway has helped make the project viable, as both Saint and Hall class locomotives share many common parts.

The prototype Hall Class locomotive built in 1924 was built from Saint Class No. 2925 “Saint Martin”, rebuilt with 6ft driving wheels, instead of the 6ft 8 1/2 in driving wheels used on the Saints.

Didcot Railway Centre have reversed this, putting 6ft 8 1/2 in driving wheels on the frames of 4942 “Maindy Hall”, which has been modified to Saint specification.

The boiler from 4942 “Maindy Hall” being the same on the Saints, with a few differences, can be used. The most noticeable change being the Saints having inside steam pipes.

• Visit the Didcot Railway Centre Website
  For more information