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4566 is a GWR Churchward 4500 was built in Swindon in 1924 to Lot No. 226 and entered service at Newton Abbot, spending most of its working life based at sheds in Devon and Cornwall.<ref>[http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2015/happy-birthday-dear-4566/ 'Happy birthday dear 4566'[[Whyte notation | Small Prairie, rail.co.uk, 19 June 2015]]'(Retrieved 3 January 2019)</ref> Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far south west, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds where it was a class common sight on the St. Erth to St. Ives and Gwinear Road to Helston branches. 4566 was notable for being the last steam locomotive overhauled at Newton Abbot works, completed on 15 July 1960 and being ceremonially driven out of small mixed traffic locomotives mainly used the works by the chairman of the local urban district council (a mainline diesel driver).<ref name=SVR15>SVR News 15</ref> Two weeks later on branch lines. 28 July 1960, 4566 The class was rated 4MT by British Railwaysphotographed entering Gwinear Road with a 2-coach Helston branch train.<ref>Photo reproduced in SVR News 46</ref>

In- September 1961, 4566 was built transferred to Plymouth Laira depot, probably for storage. It was officially withdrawn from BR service there in Swindon April 1962 having achieved 967,914 miles in 1924 and entered service at Newton Abbott. Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far Southwest, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds, but was stored for a further few months before being withdrawn from service sold for scrap and arriving at Plymouth Laira shed by BR [[Barry Scrapyard | Barry]] in April 1962August of that year.<ref name = "BarryStory">The Barry Story, Beckett & Hardingham (2010)</ref><ref name = "SB9"/><ref>[http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/262_4500det.htm The Great Western Archive] retrieved (Retrieved 27 January 2015.)</ref>

===Restoration and first boiler ticket===4566 arrived was selected by two S.V.R. members, David Rouse and Bob Sim, as the most suitable small prairie for preservation out of several examples of the type at Barry, appearing in generally good order apart from missing footplate fittings.<ref name=SVR15/> It was only the 8th locomotive to leave Barry and the first from there destined for the SVR from Barry .<ref name = "BarryStory" /> 4566 arrived at Bewdley by rail, diesel hauled, on 25 August 1970, with restoration beginning there shortly afterwards.<Ref> SVR News 18</ref> By the end of 1972 the boiler had been re-tubed and passed a hydraulic test. The complete bunker unit had been sent away to a railway engineering factory and returned with new platework. The side tanks were found to be thin in places and patching was carried out.<ref>SVR News 26</ref> By the end of 1974 new boiler cladding plates had been cut and rolled at Bridgnorth, using the existing badly rusted ones as patterns. The tanks and cab roof were refitted, and new ashpan built and fitted. Two new spectacle windows were remade and fitted in the front of the cab to replace those originally installed when built but later blanked out by BR.<ref>SVR News 34</ref>  The restoration was completed in time for the locomotive to enter service on 5 July 1975, the inaugural trip from Bewdley to Bridgnorth being an evening special train double headed with [[46521]] to mark the 10th anniversary of the formation of the SVR.<ref>SVR News 36</ref> The locomotive initially proved very reliable, recording 3,310 miles in just 5 months including 1,410 miles in 22 days during August.<ref>SVR News 38</ref> Over the following winter the locomotive was fitted with steam heating.<ref>SVR News 39</ref> The following year 4566 was used in filming of Walt Disney's live action film [[Candleshoe]],<ref>SVR News 42</ref> with the locomotive also appearing in the 1977 TV movie [[Silver Blaze]]. Following restorationIn summer 1977 the SVR celebrated the Royal Silver Jubilee week by running two named trains, 'The Silver Jubilee' with 4566 and the GWR set, and 'The Elizabethan' with various LMS locomotives and the LMS set.<ref>SVR News 45</ref> That year the locomotive recorded 4,410 miles, the highest mileage of those used.<ref>SVR News 46</ref> During 1979 4566 was repainted from BR livery into GWR livery and temporarily numbered 4506 for filming the Edwardian era episodes of [[God's Wonderful Railway]].<ref>SVR News 52</ref> By late 1979 4566 had suffered a crack in the drag box and was also suffering from leaking boiler tubes,<ref>SVR News 53-54</ref>, leading to the locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into its first 'ten year ticket'. ===Overhaul and second boiler ticket=== The next 4 years were spent in storage. Having reached the front of the overhaul queue, work began in early 1984.<ref>SVR News 72</ref> The cylinders were re-bored and new pistons manufactured. A new buffer beam was manufactured and fitted;<ref>SVR News 74</ref> as were a new bunker, new side tanks and new slide bars.<ref>SVR News 79</ref>. The overhaul was eventually completed with a return to steam in June 1986.<ref>SVR News 81</ref> The locomotive received a quick repaint into BR lined green livery, as last out-shopped from Newton Abbot works, in time for the final week of the 1986 season.<ref>SVR News 82</ref> On 26 March 1987 4566 towed [[3205]], the SVR’s first entered locomotive in preservation, from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster to be transferred to a low loader when 3205 left the railway. The following month 4566 failed on Easter Sunday with a blow in the firebox. Two boilersmiths spent a morning inside the firebox where a lot of hammering achieved a successful repair.<ref>SVR News 85</ref> In 1988, 4566 made another TV appearance in [[Hannay]], in an unlikely combination with four LNER coaches.<ref>SVR News 86</ref> From 30 April to 2 May 1988 it [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_1980-1989|appeared at Port Sunlight]] for a Vintage Rail and Public Transport weekend celebrating 100 years of soap making at Levers. Top and tailing with LMS 'Jinty' No. 7298 it operated Wirral Transport Users Association 'Port Sunlight Centenary Trains' between Port Sunlight (where a temporary platform was built), Lubrizol Junction and Bromborough Margarine Works (Stork margarine works).<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/happyraildays/8287402032/ Flikr]</ref><ref>[https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/880501ps.htm 'Wirral Transport Users Association Port Sunlight Centenary Trains', Six Bells Junction]</ref> Summer 1988 was spent on hire to the Gwili Railway, where the locomotive was steamed between 30 June and 30 August covering over 1,000 miles.<ref>SVR News 94</ref> Two years later, Sunday 13 May 1990 saw the normal summertime Table C timetable in use, requiring 5 steam locomotives. The SVR achieved a rare ‘full house’ by rostering GWR 4566 along with [[SR 34027 Taw Valley]], [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|LMS 46443]], LNER 3442 The Great Marquess and [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|BR Standard 75069]].<ref>SVR News 97</ref> Over winter 1990-91, 4566 received a quick topcoat repaint and re-varnish in anticipation of a period on hire to the Kent and East Sussex Railway.<ref>SVR News 98</ref> In the event this did not take place; however [[46443]] failed with a burst tube while on hire to the Llangollen Railway and 4566 took its place for the rest of summer 1991.<ref>SVR News 101, 102</ref> This swap was evidently successfully as a repeat visit by 4566 took place the following year.<ref>SVR News 102</ref>  Early 1993 was spent receiving a re-tube and a new chimney for which a pattern was created,<ref>SVR News 107</ref> with the locomotive returning to service in 1975August. In Spring 1994 4566 spent a second summer on hire to the Gwili Railway.<ref>SVR News 110,112</ref> The last full year of this ticket, 1995, began with a photography special day on 2 April organised by the owning 4566 Group. The locomotive then spent April to October on hire to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.<ref>SVR News 114,115</ref> It was hoped that the 'ticket' could be extended until May 1996 to enable a final appearance at the April Spring Gala, but 4566 was withdrawn for overhaul having been declared a failure just before the event.<ref>SVR News 118-119</ref>. ===Overhaul and third boiler ticket===[[File: 4566_20100522.jpg|thumb|300px|right|4566 at Highley in May 2010]]4566 was then stored at Bewdley awaiting overhaul. In 1998 an [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA Wolverhampton Branch raffle]] helped raise money towards the cost of new driving wheel tyres which would be required.<ref>SVR News 128,129</ref> Over the next eight years some preliminary work was carried out there by the 4566 Group.<ref>SVR News 139</ref>. In July 2004 4566's new tyres arrived<ref>SVR News 149</ref> and shortly afterwards the locomotive was moved to Bridgnorth for the overhaul proper to begin. Within weeks 4566 had been dismantled and the boiler moved to the boiler shop.<ref>SVR News 148</ref>

4566’s most recent As part of the overhaul the 4566 Group reinstated the original Churchward style tapered buffers. These were cast using new patterns made by Gordon Woodruff at Bridgnorth. The locomotive had been re-wheeled by December 2005 and the overhaul was completed in late 2006; a test run from Bridgnorth to Bewdley taking place on 29 November.<ref>SVR News 156</ref>. Pictures of the overhaul can be seen on [http://www.gw-svr-a.org.uk/4566_overhaul.html GW(SVR)A website 4566 Overhaul page]. The locomotive is therefore expected to be withdrawn from re-entered service during 2016 at the end of the boiler’s ’10-year ticket’in early 2007 in GWR green ‘Great Western’ livery, operating a charter special for photographers on Monday 5 March 2007.<ref>SVR News 157</ref>

In May 2007, 4566 was used on a steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter, taking a load of pipes to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Water. Following the lengthy closure of the railway for repairs to the [[2007 Storm Damage]], partial reopening of services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade was achieved on Saturday 9 February 2008, with 4566 working the first of five return trips to Hampton Loade.<ref>SVR News 160</ref> At the end of 2011 4566 was described as "''running OK but showing signs of the increasing mileage and time since last repair''".<ref>SVR News 176</ref> On examination, the left hand driving horn blocks were found to be loose due to cracks in the frame. These had to be ground out and welded up before the blocks could be refitted and the locomotive returned to traffic.<ref>SVR News 177</ref> During the Victorian Weekend event on 19-20 May 2012 which celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the SVR,<ref group="note">On 1 February 2012, the actual anniversary, the line was closed for repairs to Bewdley Tunnel</ref> 4566 hauled the Royal Train carrying ‘Queen Victoria’ from Bewdley to Bridgnorth.<ref>SVR News 177,178</ref>  In early 2014 4566 was repainted in BR black livery with the early 'cycling lion' crest.<ref>SVR News 185</ref> November 2016 marked 4566’s last gala appearance at the November 'Season Finale'. On 2 January 2017 4566 retired from service at the end of the boiler's '10-year ticket'.  On 20 June 2018 4566 was moved from storage in [[Kidderminster Carriage Shed]] to be put on display in [[The Engine House]] at Highley. At the end of 2019, 4566 had recorded a total of 112,000 miles in preservation on the SVR. The reported total may include mileage on hire to other railways.<ref>SVR News 210, SVR-based Steam Locomotive Mileage 2017-2019, Duncan Ballard</ref> 4566 is owned by the [[4566 Group]]. ==Gallery==<gallery>File:St Ives station panorama geograph-3987952-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|4566 with a local service at St Ives, 23 April 1960.</gallery>

[[Steam Locomotives]]<br>[[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events]]<br>[[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service]] ==References==<references /> ==Notes==<references group="note"/> ==Links==[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_4500_Class GWR 4500 Class on Wikipedia] {{SteamNavbox}} [[Category:SVR fundraising lotteries]] [[Category:Featured articles]]