GWR 0-6-0PT No.9466

Technical Details And History to 1999

Technical details of the locomotive are as follows:-

• GWR 0-6-0 pannier tank locomotive designed by F W Hawksworth in 1947.
• Class total 210 locomotives.
• 9466 built for BR in January 1952 by Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns at their Newcastle works (works No.7617).
• GWR classification C - route availability Red. BR power classification 4F.
• Cylinders, 2 off 17 1/2" diameter by 24" stroke.
• Wheel diameter 4' 7 1/2".
• Boiler pressure 200lbs per square inch.
• Tractive effort 22,515lb at 85%.
• Weight in working order 55t 7cwt.
• Withdrawn in 1964 and moved to Woodham Bros., Barry in 1965.
• Purchased for preservation and moved to Quainton in 1975.

Operating History

9466 entered traffic in February 1952 at Worcester (85A). She stayed at Worcester until October 1960 when she was sent to Wolverhampton (Stafford Road) for repair. In December 1960 she moved to Bristol (St Phillips Marsh) (82B). July 1962 saw a transfer to Tondu (86F). In July 1963 9466 moved to Cardiff (Radyr) (88A) for where she was withdrawn in July 1964. 9466 was sold to Woodham Bros. in November 1964 but did not move to Barry until March 1965.

Preservation History

GWR 0-6-0PT No.9466 is owned by Dennis Howells, who purchased the locomotive in 1977 after it had been rescued for Woodham Bros. scrap yard in Barry, South Wales, and moved to Quainton Road Station by another individual. When Dennis aquired 9466, it was in scrapyard condition with no restoration work having been undertaken. The next eight years saw Dennis, his father Bryn and close family friend Graham Tyler undertaking a total rebuild of the machine. The entire restoration was carried out in the open, at Quainton, like so many other projects in those days. 1985 saw the culmination of 8 years of hard graft with 9466 being returned to steam and operating at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre (as Quainton Road had become known) demonstration line. All work was complete to MT276 main line standards which proved to be a worthwhile investment. Visits to other railways in the following years included, the Great Western Society at Didcot, Swanage and the Nene Valley. Some main line work was also completed between 1985/9.

One of the main highlights in the early preserved career of 9466 was the appearance at the first Steam on the Met event run by London Underground in 1989.

After it's autumn stay at Wansford in 1993, the locomotive was moved to the Ruislip Depot of London Underground where the 10 yearly overhaul was undertaken. This work was completed in March 1995 in time to allow 9466 to participate in that year's Steam on the Met event. Another appearance at SOTM in 1996 was followed by an autumnal visit to the Battlefield line. 1997 saw a return to Quainton Road for the season until a visit to Bridgnorth was arranged in order to attend the Severn Valley Railway's 1997 Autumn Gala.

This was one of the high points in the loco's preserved career and brought about the first opportunity in preservation to see two operating Hawksworth panniers together, the other machine being 1501 of course. The winter of 97/98 was spent back at Ruislip where the annual maintenance programme was completed before a return to Shackerstone for the entire 1998 season (we thought!). The events at Steam on the Met 98 have been well documented elsewhere so it only needs to be said that the tragic problems to befall B1 1264 meant a sudden return to London. Following SOTM 9466 returned to Shackerstone for the remainer of the season.

9466 took part in a number of special events in 1999.

The visit to the 1999 Spring Gala at the West Somerset Railway was very successful. The 9466 crews thoroughly enjoyed themselves and would like to thank everyone down there in Somerset for the most marvellous welcome we received. The loco performed faultlessly and things went so well that the machine stayed on an extra week and worked the services on the following Sunday (28/3/99).

The locomotive appeared at the 1999 Steam on the Met in late May and again aquitted herself admirably. The entire event was spent double heading with one of the other locomotives, 62005, 45110 or 36128, except on 23 May when due to problems with one of the other locos, 9466 handled her rostered services alone. The major highlight of the event was a trip to Stanmore and Finchley Road on the Jubillee Line on the evening of 28 May.

After SOTM there was a short stay at the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway, the last two days of service being 3 and 4 July 1999. This is a promising little railway with a fabulous 2.5 mile run that deserves more visitors and support! Please visit the chaps at Wallingford. A great deal has been done by a very small team of people.

A very enjoyable return to our friends at the Battlefield Line from July to September 1999 took place. The Shackerstone to Shenton run is very pleasant - your webmaster thoroughly enjoyed himself.

From Shackerstone 9466 moved to Bridgnorth to take part in the Severn Valley Railway's Autumn Gala. Something not to be missed was the sight of those five Standard Tanks. Spendid! The loco stayed on for a few weeks running service trains before returning to the Bucks Railway Centre to operate on the final day of their season.

Click here to return to 9466 Home Page

Please e-mail me with any questions or queries. Bruce Murray

Page updated 5 April 2008.