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{{Infobox black GWR steam loco

|caption = 4566 at Bridgnorthin 2014

|rating = GWR: C, BR: 4MT|axleload = GWR: Yellow

'''4566 ''' is a '''GWR Churchward 4500 class 2-6-2T '[[Whyte notation|Small Prairie]]'''', one of a class of 175 small mixed traffic locomotives mainly used on branch lines. A further 100 Collett 4575 Class small prairies were also produced with larger side tanks giving increased water capacity. They used the 'Standard 5' GWR boiler and were rated Yellow C under the [[GWR Power and Weight Classification | GWR system of power and weight classification]] and 4MT under the British Railways system. Small prairies were a common sight on the Severn Valley Branch from the 1920s; the last use there being in 1961.<ref name = "SB9">SVR Stock Book 9th Edition</ref> However, classmate 4555 and 1420 visited the branch with an SLS railtour as far as [[Alveley Sidings]] on 19 September 1965. The Three members of the 4500 Class were rated Yellow C under the [[GWR Power class and Weight Classification | GWR system a further 11 of power and weight classification]] and 4MT under the British Railways system4575 class survive in preservation. 4566 was capable of pulling 8 coaches up Highley Bank from a standing start, but was generally restricted to 6 coaches or 200 tons due to its limited water capacity. It used the 'Standard 5' GWR boiler<ref>SVR News 184</ref> This resulted in its use in peak summer season usually being on services with shorter coaching sets such as dining trains, and also in periods spent on hire to other railways.

4566 was built in Swindon in 1924 to Lot No. 226 and entered service at Newton Abbot, and spent 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', rail.co.uk, 19 June 2015] (Retrieved 3 January 2019)</ref> Post-War, the locomotive worked . It entered service in the far south west, including allocations to St. Ives and Penzance sheds. 4566 was notable for being the last steam locomotive overhauled October 1924 at Newton Abbot works, completed on 15 July 1960, being ceremonially driven out of the works by the chairman of the local urban district council (a mainline diesel driver).<ref>[https://www.facebookbrdatabase.cominfo/permalinklocoqry.php?story_fbidaction=locodata&type=1417780338248850S&id=161421647218065 Didcot 4566&loco=4566 BR Database]</ref>from where it worked regularly on the Mortonhampstead and Kingswear branches.<ref group="note">The Kingswear branch is now preserved as the Dartmouth Steam Railway Centre Facebook Page.</ref> In July 1927 it moved to Taunton from where it worked on the Minehead branch.<ref name=Warren>[[Bibliography#Other References|Warren (1988)]] p. 77.</ref><ref group="note">The Minehead branch is now preserved as the West Somerset Railway.</ref> During the early 1930s it was based at Swindon and Westbury, before moving to Bristol Bath Road in November 1935. From there it worked services to Cheddar and Wells, to Frome via Radstock, retrieved 15 Jul 2016and on the Clevedon branch from Yatton.<ref name=Warren/ref>

The engine 4566 was reallocated to Swindon in February 1938, mainly working out of the sub-sheds at Andover Junction and Chippenham (for the Colne branch). In the later years of the War, it was withdrawn again based at Bristol.<ref name=Warren/> Post-War, the locomotive worked in the far south west, moving to Penzance in November 1946, from BR where it was a common sight working crowded holiday trains on the St. Erth to St. Ives branch and passenger services on the Gwinear Road to Helston branch, as well as freight traffic to Hayle Harbour.<ref name=Warren/>  <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">St Ives station panorama geograph-3987952-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|4566 with a local service at St Ives, 23 April 1960.</gallery> 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 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 28 July 1960, 4566 was photographed entering Gwinear Road with a 2-coach Helston branch train.<ref>Photo reproduced in SVR News 46</ref> Services in the far south west area were dieselised in September 1961 and 4566 was transferred to Plymouth Laira shed depot,<ref name=Warren/> probably intended for storage as it saw little work until being officially withdrawn from BR service there in April 1962 having achieved 967,914 miles in service, . It was stored for a further few months before being sold for scrap and arriving at [[Barry Scrapyard | Barry]] in August 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 27 January 2015)</ref> An original 4566 cabside numberplate resides in Helston Museum of Cornish Life [https://museumofcornishlife.co.uk/ link].

===Restoration and first boiler ticket===4566 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 <ref group="note">4566 was the first GWR tank engine to leave Barry. It was preceded by five tender engines (3 GWR, one LMS and one SR) and two LMS 'Jinties'.</ref> and the first from there destined for the SVR.<ref name = "BarryStory" /> She  4566 left Barry tagged on the back of a 'Warship' hauled banana train. It arrived at Bewdley by rail, diesel hauled, on 25 August 1970, with restoration beginning there shortly afterwards.<Ref> SVR News 18</ref> Restoration at Bewdley began shortly afterwards, 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 was completed in time for the locomotive returned with new platework. The side tanks were found to enter service be thin in July 1975, the 10th anniversary of the formation of the SVRplaces and patching was carried out.<ref name = "SB9">SVR News 26</ref> The following year 4566 was used in filming By the end of Walt Disney's live action film [[Candleshoe]]1974 new boiler cladding plates had been cut and rolled at Bridgnorth, with using the locomotive also appearing 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 1977 TV movie [[Silver Blaze]]front of the cab to replace those originally installed when built but later blanked out by BR. <ref>SVR News 34</ref>

By late 1979The restoration was completed in time for the locomotive to enter service on 5 July 1975, 4566 had suffered a crack in the drag box and was also suffering inaugural trip from leaking boiler tubes,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 53-5436</ref>, leading to the The locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into her first ten year ‘ticket’. Having reached the front of the queueinitially proved very reliable, the overhaul also included a new bunkerrecording 3, new side tanks and new slide bars310 miles in just 5 months including 1,410 miles in 22 days during August.<ref>SVR News 7938</ref> and Over the following winter the locomotive was eventually completed fitted with a return to steam in June 1986heating.<ref>SVR News 8139</ref>

In 1988, The following year 4566 made another TV appearance was used in filming of Walt Disney's live action film [[HannayCandleshoe]]. From 30 April to 2 May 1988 she ,<ref>SVR News 42</ref> with the locomotive also appearing in the 1977 TV movie [[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events#Steam_locomotives_timeline_1980-1989|appeared at Port SunlightSilver Blaze]] for a Vintage Rail and Public Transport weekend celebrating 100 years of soap making at Levers. Top and tailing with LMS In summer 1977 the SVR celebrated the Royal Silver Jubilee week by running two named trains, 'JintyThe Silver Jubilee' No. 7298 she operated Wirral Transport Users Association with 4566 and the GWR set, and 'Port Sunlight Centenary TrainsThe Elizabethan' between Port Sunlight (where a temporary platform was built), Lubrizol Junction with various LMS locomotives and Bromborough Margarine Works (Stork margarine works)the LMS set.<ref>[https:SVR News 45<//wwwref> That year the locomotive recorded 4,410 miles, the highest mileage of those used.flickr.com/photos/happyraildays/8287402032/ Flikr]</ref>SVR News 46</ref>[https<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align://wwwleft">Candleshoe_screenshot_Victoria_Bridge.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/80s/880501ps.htm jpg | 4566 crosses Victoria Bridge in a scene from 'Wirral Transport Users Association Port Sunlight Centenary TrainsCandleshoe', Six Bells Junction]</refgallery>

Two years later, Sunday 13 May 1990 saw During 1979 4566 was repainted from BR livery into GWR livery and temporarily numbered 4506 for filming 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 Edwardian era episodes of [[SR 34027 Taw ValleyGod'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, [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443|LMS 46443]]<ref>SVR News 53-54</ref>, LNER 3442 The Great Marquess and [[BR Riddles 4MT 75069|BR Standard 75069]]leading to the locomotive being withdrawn for overhaul mid-way into its first 'ten year ticket'.

4566 ===Overhaul and second boiler ticket=== The next 4 years were spent in storage. Having reached the summer front of 1991 on hire to the Llangollen Railwayoverhaul queue, evidently successfully 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 repeat visit took place the following yearreturn to steam in June 1986. <ref>SVR News 81</ref> The locomotive received a quick repaint into BR lined green livery, as last full year of this ticketout-shopped from Newton Abbot works, 1995, also involved a period of hire, this in time to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. 4566 was then withdrawn for overhaul at the beginning final week of 1996. In 1998 an [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA Wolverhampton Branch raffle]] helped raise money towards the cost of new driving wheel tyres1986 season.<ref>SVR News 128,12982</ref>

Following another period out of serviceOn 26 March 1987 4566 towed [[3205]], the most recent overhaul was completed SVR’s first locomotive in late 2006 with an entry into service in early 2007preservation, with from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster to be transferred to a [http://wwwlow loader when 3205 left the railway.gw-svr-The following month 4566 failed on Easter Sunday with a.org.uk/4566_overhaul.html record of the overhaul on blow in the GW(SVR)A website]firebox. In May of that year, 4566 was used on Two boilersmiths spent a steam-hauled revenue earning freight charter, taking morning inside the firebox where a load lot of pipes to Trimpley Reservoir for Severn Trent Waterhammering achieved a successful repair.<ref>SVR News 85</ref>

In 1987, 4566 appeared in the BBC TV movie [[Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington]]. It made another 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><gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Miss_Marple_Screenshot_11_4566.jpg | 4566 arrives at 'Brackhampton' (Bewdley) in a scene from '4:50 from Paddington'</gallery> 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 August. 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 this 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 ===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>  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 re-entered service 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> <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">4566_20100522.jpg| 4566 at Highley in May 2010</gallery> 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’ 'cycling lion' crest. <ref>SVR News 185</ref> November 2016 marked 4566’s last gala appearance at the November ‘Season Finale’'Season Finale'. On 2 January 2017 4566 retired from service at the end of the boiler’s ’10boiler's '10-year ticket’ticket'.

At the end of 2019, 4566 is owned by had recorded a total of 112,000 miles in preservation on the [[4566 Group]]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>

==Gallery==<gallery>File:St Ives station panorama geograph-3987952-by-Ben-BrooksbankFor many years the locomotives owners, the [[4566 Group]], did not have a website or presence on social media.jpg|In 2022 a group of supporters, many of whom are also associated with the [[Friends of 4930 Hagley Hall]], formed '''The 4566 Preservation Group''' "dedicated to the care and restoration of the locomotive", to raise funds for its overhaul. A launch at the 2023 [[Spring Steam Gala]] with a local service [[List of shops|sales stand]] at St Ives[[Kidderminster]], "Our first gala stand for many years", raised £500. On 23 April 1960May 2023 it became a Charitable incorporated organisation, charity number 1203207, Company number CE032373, with 8 trustees. It has also set up a Facebook page and website.</gallery>

*[[Steam Locomotives]]<br>*[[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events]]*[[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service]] ==Notes==<references group="note"/>

*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GWR_4500_Class GWR 4500 Class on Wikipedia]*[http://www.4566.org.uk The 4566 Preservation Group website]*[https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088192667485 The 4566 Preservation Group Facebook page]

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