GWR Large Prairie 4150

The early history of the G.W.R. ‘large Prairie’ tanks is quite complex, with over 300 of these engines being built to the same basic design, commencing with Churchward’s No. 99 of 1903, and ending with 4179, delivered to the nationalised B.R. in 1949. With good powers of acceleration, the locomotives were capable of hauling semi-fast and suburban passenger trains to tight schedules, and were also used on medium distance and trip freight trains. ‘Large Prairies’, were considered too heavy for the Severn Valley line in earlier days, but were commonly used in its declining years, examples being based at Kidderminster, Worcester and Shrewsbury depots.

Locomotive 4150, technically a member of the 5101 class, was built at Swindon to Lot 361, and entered traffic in June 1947 at a recorded cost of £7,400. It was allocated new to Stourbridge depot, home of a substantial stud of ‘large Prairies’ employed on West Midlands area local services. From May 1953 onwards, 4150 migrated to the West Country, serving successively at the following depots; Bristol Bath Road, Weymouth, Newton Abbot, Taunton, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Westbury, Wiltshire. The lengthiest period was spent at Newton Abbot, working local trains to Paignton and Kingswear, and banking freight trains over Dainton and Rattery inclines. Weymouth provided banking duties to Dorchester, and Taunton was responsible for Minehead branch duties. From August 1962 until withdrawal in June 1965, 4150 survived in woebegone external condition on the arduous Severn Tunnel banking duties, worked from the nearby shed at `S.T.J.’

After the short journey to Barry, 4150 reached Woodham’s scrapyard sidings. In 1973, the engine was rescued, still in reasonably complete state, and in fairly sound mechanical condition, by the ‘4150 Fund‘. Initially moved to Parkend, Gloucestershire, the loco moved again to the SVR after a shareholder referendum was carried out in 1977. 4150 arrived at Bewdley on 19th January 1978, and restoration to full working order commenced shortly afterwards. A considerable amount of restoration was undertaken there before momentum flagged somewhat.

Restoration restarted in earnest more recently, and the boiler was moved to Bridgnorth in 2018, followed by the chassis, for the loco to be completed. With the boiler being worked on by full-time staff, and with the loco now back on its wheels [Jan 31 2022], it shouldn’t be too long before the loco can be steamed for the first time in over 50 years!