4500 2-6-2T prairie tank No. 4566 will be celebrating its 100th birthday in 12 weeks’ time.

It’s currently preserved at the Severn Valley Railway and is on display in the Engine House at Highley, where it continues to delight visitors and rail enthusiasts.

No. 4566 is one of the smaller types of prairie tank locomotives, and was built in 1924 at Swindon works on the Great Western Railway.

The short coupled wheel base enabled members of this class of locomotive to operate on lines with tighter curves, while at the same time it made them ideal for climbing gradients.

Many members ended up working branch lines across the BR Western Region most notably in the West Country. No. 4566 hauled branch line trains and pick up goods services on a range of branch lines across Devon and Cornwall throughout its working life being shedded at Newton Abbot, St Ives, Penzance and Laira.

Withdrawn in 1962, in the pioneering days of the preservation era, a group of rail enthusiasts saved No.4566 before finding a permanent home on the Severn Valley Railway, where she was the first locomotive the heritage railway overhauled to run on the line.

Over the weekend of 31 August – 1 September, a centenary birthday celebration will be held in the excellent Engine House exhibition hall alongside 4566. The event will feature something for all ages, including:

• Magic Show: be captivated by the mysteries of magic (Saturday Only)
• Raffle and Tombola: Chance, you luck and win prizes
• Fete Games: Take part in fun family games
• Cake: Indulge in a piece of of 4566s specially commissioned centenary birthday cake
• Visit the footplate: The cab will be open so members of the public can stand on this historic locomotive.

There will also be an opportunity to join the locomotives owning society, the 4566 Preservation Group. First set up to save the engine in the early 1960s they continue to look after and maintain the locomotive. You can visit www.4566.org.uk to find out more, become a member, or make a donation.

The Severn Valley Railway is known for its first class restoration work and dedication to preservation and railway heritage. They are proud to be working alongside the 4566 Preservation Group to arrange and host this special birthday celebration.

Be sure to join us to mark 4566s special centenary and to toast is remarkable career, legacy and continued journey at the Severn Valley Railway.