GWR 4930 Hagley Hall

The two-cylinder ‘Hall’ class 4-6-0s were the most numerous general-purpose engines of the G.W.R.; including the later ‘Modified Halls’, 330 examples were built between 1928 and 1950.

4930 was built at Swindon works, entering traffic in May 1929.

In company with most other ‘Hall’ class engines, No. 4930 worked over the main routes of the G.W.R. system, on a wide variety of duties, both passenger and freight. It was new to Wolverhampton Stafford Rd. depot, and during its career served at the following depots in succession; Wolverhampton Oxley, Chester, Bristol St. Philips Marsh, Oxley, Stafford Rd., Oxley, Weymouth, Oxley, Chester, Oxley, Tyseley, Leamington, Tyseley, St. Philips Marsh, Weymouth, Bristol Bath Rd., St. Philips Marsh, Westbury, Taunton, Exeter, Taunton, Exeter, Old Oak Common and Swindon.

The engine was withdrawn from service in December 1963, having run 1,295,236 miles, and was sold to Woodham’s of Barry for scrap, arriving there in April 1964. No. 4930 was purchased by the S.V.R. Holdings Company in June 1972, and brought to Bewdley dead by rail on 6th January 1973.

Following renovation at Bewdley and later at Bridgnorth. 4930’s debut in passenger service occurred on 22nd September 1979, when it double-headed L.M.S.R. ‘Black Five’ 5000 on the North-and-West route with an enthusiasts special. Next day, it settled down to ordinary Severn Valley line service, and became a prolific performer, both on the Severn Valley line and on main line trips, reaching Plymouth, Cardiff, Chester, Swindon and Andover during these operations.

A notable event was when it headed the official reopening train out of the S.V.R.’s new Kidderminster Town station on 30th July 1984.

No. 4930 had last worked in 1986, and subsequently spent many years on static display in Swindon, and at the Engine House. With the help of the supporting group, The Friends of Locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall, momentum for its return to steam gathered pace, and following a lengthy and costly overhaul, including major firebox attention and the casting and machining of new cylinders, the loco saw a welcome return to service during 2022.