GWR Prairie Tank 5532

5532 was out shopped from Swindon Works in June 1928. After running in at Reading, she was first allocated to Stourbridge Junction to work in the West Midlands. She then went to Worcester for a period, where she regularly jump between Worcester and Evesham. In 1941, whilst being based at Newport Ebbw Junction, she had the honour of hauling the Royal Train. On the 22nd October, together with classmate 5516, she hauled the train from Hereford to Monmouth Troy.

Later the same day she hauled the Royal Train (with King George VI on board) from Monmouth Troy to Ross on Wye. After this she was based at several sheds across the old GWR network, including Aberbeeg, Pontypool, Oswestry, Bristol Bath Road, Swindon, Westbury and Laira in Plymouth.

5532 was withdrawn from service on 10th July 1962 from Laira, having travelled 705,111 miles in service.She was bought by Woodham Brothers Barry on 4th September 1962, and was to spend the next 20 years at Barry. She stayed there until March 1981 when sold to the Dean Forest railway.  The Llangollen Railway Great Western Locomotive Group became owners of 5532 in 1987.

The restoration of 5532 has been progressing well for over 30 years, with most of the components required to complete the restoration acquired including many new parts.

For more information visit their website – https://www.5532.co.uk