Latest progress on GWR Taffy Tank No. 6695 at Herston Works, Swanage

News item - dated 17th Feb 2002 - Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright

To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

These photographs from Andrew P.M. Wright show the restoration in progress on GWR Tank No. 6695 at Herston Works on the Swanage Railway. The locomotive was built by Sir W.G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd for the Great Western Railway in 1928 and moved into preservation in 1979.

In all, 200 of these Class 5600 4ft 8.5in standard gauge 0-6-2T steam locomotives were constructed between 1924 and 1928. Numbers 5600 to 6650 were built by the Great Western Railway Swindon Works and the latter 50 locomotives - including 6695, works no 983 - were built by Sir W.G. Armstrong Whitworth & Co. Ltd.

You will see from these photographs that the dedicated team of volunteers is rewarded by the excellent progress made on the restoration so far. In the background you can see the cab of 34028 Eddystone which is also under restoration at Herston.