The South Devon Railway "New Tanks II"

In July 200 work was in hand on three locomotives at the Buckfastleigh Works of the South Devon Railway.
 

    In the foreground of the picture taken on 13th July is 4575 Class 2-6-2T No. 5526. Progress on this engine puts a re-entry into traffic in 2001 or early 2002 a distinct probability. The workshop staff have constructed a new set of side tanks (photo 8th October 2000) for the engine which can be seen above (subject to workload the South Devon Railway Trust will consider accepting orders to build tanks for other 4575 locos). The chassis is largely completed. The main outstanding items are valves and pistons which are yet to be ordered. The cylinders and valve chests have been rebored at Buckfastleigh. The motion is largely ready and awaits grinding of a new set of expansion links after which final assembly can take place. Bunker and cab have been rebuilt already. The boiler is also largely complete. Copper piping runs are being manufactured and all fittings are already on hand. The 'Prairie' is eagerly awaited in traffic as these are such capable engines for a branch line such like the SDR.
    At the far end of the workshop pannier tank 5786 patiently awaits the return of its boiler from Roger Pridham's works at Lamerton. The chassis is largely complete having been rebuilt at Buckfastleigh by the weekend volunteer force. New pannier tanks and bunker have been made and a new smokebox fabricated at Buckfastleigh.
    In the background is 2-8-0 No.3803 which returned from Tyseley last year having been the subject of a contract repair during the latter half of the 1980's. Work will be continued by the weekend gang after 5786 is complete. Some work has already been done recently on the boiler with all the old tubes and flue tubes being removed. The chassis is well advanced as a result of the work carried out at Tyseley. The tender is in running order - until recently it was paired with 7820 on the West Somerset Railway whilst that engine's own tender was still being completed.
    The carriage in the picture is the former GWR Dynamometer Car W7W.