British Steam Locomotives Before Preservation: A Study of Before & Afterlife

By Malcolm Clegg

A pictorial history of the British locomotives now part of the national collection, detailing their working lives and their preservation.

British Steam Locomotives Before Preservation covers the history in pictorial form of steam locomotives that are now preserved as part of the national collection. Those which can be found in private collections and the ones which adorn the various heritage railways which operate throughout Britain.

The book looks at each subject both in its working life and during its subsequent preservation.

The pictorial content covers a wide swathe of Britain during the years before the heritage locomotives were earmarked for preservation.

Praise for British Steam Locomotives Before Preservation

“The book does exactly what it says on the cover and is recommended for anyone with an interest in UK standard-gauge steam. The photographs include not only locomotives, but also trains in some very interesting settings, which adds to the enjoyment of a well-researched offering. Recommended—Next one please!” —Ffestiniog Railway Magazine

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781526760487

Malcolm Clegg

Malcolm Clegg is a retired British Transport Police Sergeant who served for almost thirty years both as a uniformed and CID officer at various railway and dock locations in England and Wales. Ten years were spent working in London.Malcolm comes from a railway family, his father was a station master at several locations on the national network and passed on a passion for railways to Malcolm at an early age.He currently resides in Swansea and his interests include history and photography. In recent years, Malcolm has carried out extensive research and written a number of articles for the British Transport Police History Group (www.btphg.org.uk).

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

GWR – GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY LOCOMOTIVES

0-4-2T GWR 1400 Class Tank Locomotive, No. 1420

This 0-4-2 tank locomotive was built at Swindon in 1933 as a 4800 Class locomotive, number 4820. She was re-classified as a 1400 Class in 1946 and re-numbered 1420. She was assigned to Cardiff Cathays Shed in 1948, having previously worked from engine sheds at Pontrilas and Pontypool Road.

Number 1420 went on to work out of Fairford (Gloucestershire), Oxford and Exeter before spending her final years working on the Leominster to Kington branch out of Hereford Shed where this photograph was taken. 1420 was transferred to Gloucester Shed prior to being withdrawn from service in November 1964.

Former GWR 1400 Class tank locomotive, number 1420, pictured in steam at Hereford Shed in July 1964. (© PC)

In 1965, 1420 was purchased by the South Devon Railway for preservation and has remained with and been owned by the railway ever since. She turned out to be a regular and very reliable performer over many years and is preserved in her original GWR livery.

0-4-2T GWR 1400 Class Tank Locomotive, No.