The visit is expected to span the remainder of 2008.
Prairie Tank 5199 running on the Llangollen Railway, 8th April 2008 (Martyn Tattam)
The prototype of the class (known as the "large prairie") was produced in 1903. It was fitted with the GWR Standard No.2 boiler running at a maximum pressure of 200 p.s.i. Over the years there were variations from and modifications to the original design, resulting in sub-classes. Almost 300 in total were built, the last being out-shopped in December 1949.
5199 was one of ten locomotives built under Lot 284 (Nos.5190 - 5199) at the GWR's Swindon Works and was completed in November 1934. Its initial allocation was to Tyseley (Birmingham) shed (GWR code TYS) and it is recorded as being there again on 31st December 1947. 5199 was a mixed traffic locomotive but would probably have predominantly hauled local passenger trains. Between August 1950 and 1960 it is recorded as allocated to Stourbridge Junction (84F). 1962 saw 5199 shedded at Wolverhampton (Stafford Road) (84A). Its last shed was Gloucester (Horton Road) (85B) and it was withdrawn in March 1963
After withdrawal and 22 years in Woodham's scrapyard at Barry, No.5199 moved to Toddington in 1985, and on to Llangollen in 1988 where restoration progressed steadily (with some work done at Long Marston) leading to its return to steam in February 2003. The locomotive has since been a regular performer at Llangollen. In late 2007 the wheels required re-tyring, which has been undertaken at the South Devon Railway.
The photo on the right, from John Sandys, shows the loco as arrived on its low loader, at Sheffield Park on Friday 25th April 2008. He has more photos here.
The photos below show it on Bluebell metals, from Andrew Strongitharm (25th April 2008) and Derek Hayward (26th April 2008).
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Photos © Copyright Martyn Tattam, John Sandys, Andrew Strongitharm and Derek Hayward