HUGH Shipton’s GWR 0-6-0PT No. 6430 has formally become a member of the South Devon Railway’s (SDR) loco pool after agreement was reached for it to be based on the line for the remainder of the current 10-year boiler ticket, which expires in February 2025.
Since its departure from Llangollen, No. 6430 has been at the SDR for contract repairs. The work was completed during December and successful test runs were carried out on Christmas Eve, allowing the ‘64XX’ to take part in the SDR’s winter steam gala, billed as ‘Mince Pies, Manor and More’ which featured visiting WR ‘Manor’ No. 7820 Dinmore Manor and resident GWR 0-6-0PT No. 1369.