5532 History
​GWR YEARS
5532 was outshopped 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, regularly jumping between Worcester and Evesham.
5532 at Ebbw Junction Shed, Newport, on 31st July 1939.(RHG Simpson)
Royal Wartime Duties
In 1941, while based at Newport Ebbw Junction, 5532 had the honour of hauling the Royal Train. On the 22nd of October, together with classmate 5516, she hauled the train from Hereford to Monmouth Troy. The same day, she hauled the Royal Train (with King George VI on board) from Monmouth Troy to Ross on Wye. This shows the significance of small yet powerful locomotives in wartime getting the most important people to hard-to-reach areas.
5532 at Clifton Down Station, Bristol, in 1954.
BR Years and Withdrawal
Into the BR years, she continued to operate across the old GWR network, including time at Aberbeeg, Pontypool, Oswestry, Bristol Bath Road, Swindon, Westbury, and Laira in Plymouth. Her most significant operation was In October 1959 where she hauled the final passenger train from Bristol to Frome. 5532 was withdrawn from service on 10th July 1962 from Laira, having travelled 705,111 miles in service.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 in the famous scrapyard.
5532 at Plymouth North Road, in 1959. (Keith Jones)
Early Preservation
5532 stayed at Barry Scrapyard until 1982 when sold to the Dean Forest Railway. In 1987 the Llangollen Railway Great Western Locomotive Group (LRGWLG) wanted to buy a Small Prairie tank from Barry, to operate on the then rapidly expanding Llangollen Railway, and from those that remained chose 5538. However, as this had a cracked cylinder, the group exchanged the frames and some other parts with 5532, which was owned by the Dean Forest Railway, as this was felt to be the most economical option. As the number of an engine is decided by its frames the LRGWLG became owners of 5532 when the exchange was made.
5532 leaving Dai Woodham's Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales, March 1981.
Restoration Begins
Over the years the group bought a range of components. They then helped build and pay for a part of the new engine shed in Llangollen, including an inspection pit. When the shed was ready, the frames were moved in during 1997, and restoration of the frames commenced. Additionally, the group bought connecting and coupling rods, paid for the repair and replacement of springs, alongside contract work on the frames, and turning and reprofiling all the wheels.
As of 2015, almost all of the work has been completed on the rolling chassis, with the bunker and cab sections also fitted. Nearly all of the components have been purchased and are in store, ready to be fitted onto 5532 when the time is appropriate. Work has already begun on dismantling the boiler so that the inner firebox can be properly examined to see if it is reusable, or if a new one will have to be ordered. Meanwhile, a new Door Plate and Smoke Box Tube Plate have been purchased.
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5532 undergoing restoration inside Llangollen Workshop, on 31st June 2015.
(Joseph Wellsteed)
The new smokebox fitted to the frames, on 24th December 2015.
(Dave Owen)
5532 with her new smokebox door installed, 8th-10th April 2016.
(Charles Cooksley)
5532 Today
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Although restoration efforts have slowed in recent years, since late 2023 the rate of restoration on 5532 has seen a massive uplift, with work on the boiler now underway at Tysley Locomotive Works, alongside a brilliant group of volunteers at Llangollen working tirelessly on the bottom end, many of them having worked to bring the Llangollen Railways pannier tank, 7754, back to steam. There is now both passion and momentum behind this project to bring it to fruition and there has never been a better time to get on board. So if you can, please donate if you want to see 5532 steam in the Dee Valley.
5532 Principal Dimensions
Wheel arrangement: 2-6-2T
Power classification: C / 4MT
Nominal tractive effort: 21,250 lbs
Weight: 61 tons
Wheel diameters: 3'2", 4'7½", 3'2"
Cylinders: Two 17½" x 24"
Boiler pressure: 200psi
Valve gear: Stephenson
Route Availability: Yellow