GWR 5600 Class 6695

GWR 5600 Class 6695
Built By GWR Swindon Works
Configuration 0-6-2T
Power class 5MT
Status Operational
Loco Number 6695
History
Built 1928
Designed By Charles Collett
Type GWR 5600
1964 Withdrawn from traffic
1979 Left Barry
2006 Returned to steam
2022 Overhaul completed
Technical
Weight 69t 7cwt
Tractive effort 25,800 lb
Pressure 200 lb/sq in

Steam Locomotives

A brief description of the 5600 Class is included in GWR 5600 class 6634.

Contents

6695 in service

6695 was built for the GWR by Armstrong Whitworth in Scotswood-on-Tyne in October 1928 to lot number 255 and works number 983. it was originally deployed to Tyseley and Leamington hauling outer suburban passenger services from Birmingham's Snow Hill station to Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington. Between 1934 and 1939, 6695 was transferred to freight work at Oxley and Wolverhampton Stafford Road. At the outbreak of war 6695 was transferred to Swansea East Docks and spent the rest of its career employed on local passenger and freight work in South Wales. 6695 hauled the last scheduled through passenger train from Neath General to Treherbert. 6695 was withdrawn from service from Cardiff Cathays shed during week ending 4 July 1964 and was sold on 24 August, moving to Barry Scrapyard in September.[1]

6695 in preservation

The 5600 Tank Fund was launched in 1977, and The 6695 Locomotive Group was formed during 1995 to formalise No 6695 and its affairs. 6695 left Barry in May 1979, the 99th locomotive to do so.[2] It moved initially to the embryonic Swanage Railway in May 1979. By 2005 Southern Locomotives Limited were overhauling the locomotive under contract.[3] It returned to steam in 2006.[4] In April 2017 The West Somerset Railway announced an agreement to take the locomotive on long-term loan for a period of 25 years upon completion of its current 10-year overhaul. By 2019 however it had arrived on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, where it was in steam by 2022[5].

6695 on the SVR

6695 was hired by the SVR during Winter 2009 to Spring 2010, appearing at the Spring Steam Gala

See also

References

Links