A popular resident of the South Devon Railway, 5786 would take part in its final weekend of steam before its imminent withdrawal, as the 'Pannier Tank' faces the expirey of its boiler ticket.
5786 has been based on the SDR since 1996, and after returning from its most recent overhaul in 2013, has spent the majority of its operational ticket adorned by a coat of London Transport maroon and its accompanying identity of L92. In recent times the locomotive has been regularly away on hire to other heritage railways, returning to the SDR over the winter down-time to see out the remainder of its boiler ticket alongside the River Dart. Before the SDR's main operating season began for this year, the 'Pannier Tank' received a repaint into its BR guise; comprised of a purposely weathered BR black and regaining its original number in the process. There wouldn't be long to catch 5786 running under this guise, with the boiler ticket expiring on the 31st of May, therefore carring out its final weekend in steam over the SDR's 'Rails & Ales' event; taking place May 26th-29th.
The event featured an intense timetable, with frequent passenger services ferrying patrons to the Beer Festival set up at Staverton. Stepping up to the plate, 5786 would be shouldered by Class 33 - 33002 and 'Small Prairie' - 5526. However, on the day of filming, the latter would fail late into the timetable.
Locomotives:
Ex-GWR 5700 Class 'Pannier Tank' - 5786
BR Class 33 - 33002 "Sea King"
GWR 4575 Class ‘Small Prairie’ - 5526
All footage filmed on Sunday the 28th of May 2023.