The engineering specialists Leaky Finders Ltd, from Exeter in Devon, who have many years of experience in boiler making, machining, fabrication and painting of steam locomotives, has now acquired its own locomotive in the form of Great Western Railway 5700 Class 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive No. 9629.
The locomotive was built at the famous GWR works at Swindon in 1945, and saw service at depots in South Wales at Cardiff Canton, Cardiff East Dock, and Pontypool Road, as well as at Oswestry in Shropshire and Exeter in Devon. Its last depot was at Pontypool Road, from where it was withdrawn from British Railways service in October 1964.
Although 9629 escaped the cutter’s torch at the now infamous Barry scrap yard and was saved for preservation, since then it has never been steamed.
The new owners are very fortunate that 9629’s previous owners amassed a considerable amount of the components necessary to bring it back into service, as well spares and many of the wooden patterns that are necessary in order to be able to cast new components.
Over the next few weeks Leaky Finders expects to take delivery of both locomotive and the assortment of parts at its Exeter workshops. Once restored, 9629 will feel at home as Exeter was its home for seven years in British Railways days.
The intention is that it will be offered for hire, and as the class was renowned for being reasonably strong and economical, 9629 should prove useful for nearly any heritage railway in the country.
Leaky Finders plan to start the restoration of 9629 sometime next year, once it has completed repairs to Southern Region Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific Class No. 35028 Clan Line.
Responses
Yes totally agree with David Dawson’s comment that Barry’s Srapyard in Barry run by Dai Woodham ended up saving 213 locomotives from the cutting torch because they decided to concentrate on cutting up all the goods wagons first which ended.up giving time for the steam locos to be brought into preservation so it’s definitely thanks to the Woodhams family that otherwise we wouldn’t have a steam preservation movement that we have got today!
Great to read that this engine is being saved and indeed that such an act is still possible. Even better is the fact that this is happening so close to home.
I believe that “Famous” would be a preferable and more accurate description of the Barry Scrapyard rather than the negative term “infamous”. The number of engines that were spared from being scrapped and ultimately restored to operating condition is well-known, which by no means is any act of ” infamy”. Fortunately, no mention was made of the scrapyard being “notorious”. This yard is “noteworthy” for its “famous” sparing of numerous locomotives which otherwise were merely hunks of abandoned scrap metal. Now THAT indeed sounds more accurate and positive!
Well said. As I read the article I too thought the word ‘infamous’ to describe Barry scrapyard was entirely inappropriate!
Regards