GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 No. 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ arrives at the Swanage Railway - 24/03/2025

GWR 4900 Class 4-6-0 No. 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ arrives on Swanage Railway metals in advance of the 2025 Spring Steam Gala Built at by the Great Western Railway at Swindon Works at a cost of £4375, No. 4953 entered traffic in August 1929. The locomotive worked from a wide variety of sheds all over the GWR network, until withdrawal by British Railways in May 1963. Acquired for scrap by Woodham Brothers in Barry, South Wales during October 1963, she was purchased for preservation by Dr John Kennedy in 1984. ‘Pitchford Hall’ is owned by and based on the Epping Ongar Railway and currently carries British Railways lined black livery. 24/03/2025