Great Western 14XX 0-4-2T No. 1420 is nearing completion of its overhaul and will soon be hauling trains along the picturesque South Devon Railway once more.

One of the pioneering locos during the early days of the South Devon Railway, given the nickname ‘Bulliver’, No.1420 was built in the 1930s at Swindon Works.

Over the years, it has hauled many thousands of passengers along the 6.6-mile line from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, which runs along the River Dart.

The auto tank was also the inspiration for Rev W. Awdry’s locomotive No.11 Oliver, which appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine books and in the earlier TV series of the 1980s.

Work on 1420 has been extensive.

A new foundation ring and boiler plates were paid for thanks to a National Lottery grant the railway secured in 2020.

A brand-new steam reservoir and new side tanks have also been fitted, along with new boiler cladding.

The combined brake valve has also been rebuilt, which will allow the loco to resume auto train duties, a working many 14XX’s performed on branch lines and on sections of the mainline across the Western region.

1420 is currently on display to the public and can be seen from the workshop viewing gallery. In the coming weeks, the locomotive will be painted and lined out in BR Green before the application of varnish.

Steam testing will then commence before the end of the year.

If all goes well, 1420 will be available for the 2027 season.