Steam locomotive 9466 currently on loan to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has been cleaned and prepared for departure from Toddington.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway do not need Ex-BR (WR) Hawksworth Pannier Tank 9466 for the loan period.
9466 has therefore been offered for hire to other heritage railways by its owner, Jonathan Jones Pratt.
Jonathan Jones Pratt has told RailAdvent that four railways are currently interested in the hire of the locomotive, with talks continuing.
No railway has been confirmed yet that 9466 will be loaned to.
Jonathan Jones Pratt told RailAdvent: “2020 has been difficult as an engine owner, having to understand change as we have worked through C-19 and the challenges of working out the other side (we hope). The GWSR have too many engines right now and the joint decision was made to remove the engine from the site, I know the 94 has gone down very well and performed 100% for the GWSR in her time there, we have been very thank full to Ben Evason (GWSR) who has led the team getting 9466 ready for her move in due course, the photos received of her sat in the sun shows what our flag ship engine means to the Railway and I am proud to be maintaining Dennis Howls legacy. No doubt wherever she will end up now she will be loved and enjoyed – the family is very much looking forward to having a ride with the old girl again too!”
Where Next?
RailAdvent Plus
Get image downloads, Prints and Streaming Video
News Homepage
For the Latest Railway News
RailAdvent Online Shop
Framed Prints, DVD's / Blu-Ray's and more
LocoStop Community
Come and share your railway pictures
Mainline Steam Info
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
Hello.
For me it will be sad not to see 9466 steaming on the GWSR .
I have over the course of 9644 being at GWSR been on many, many times pulled sitting in the carriages by 9466. I have taken so many photos of 9466 in all weathers. I like all the stations on the GWSR and each time 9466 pulled in to these wonderful stations I talked to the various drives of this wonderful engine and they all said that 9466 was such a lovely engine to drive. Every time I saw 9466 she was really well turned out. Over the time of taking pictures I found that 9466 was so photogenic.I found amazing that such a small engine could pull so many carriages and never seemed to struggle.
I pay homage to the people in the engine sheds at Toddington for turning out a lovely 9466 every time she steamed.
I wish well for wherever 9466 will be going that she will pull in the crowds and the passengers have a wonderful trip behind 9466.
If it is possible for me at distance to take some pictures and say farewell 9466 when the time comes for 9466 to leave Toddington.