The Great Western Society's Churchward 43XX 2-6-0 no. 5322 has returned to steam after a long absence. Now painted in Khaki livery to represent the condition in which it would have appeared during its service with the Railway Operating Division, the newly restored locomotive is seen on the turntable at Didcot on 11th April 2009. 5322 was built in 1917 and very soon found itself sent to France to haul ROD troop and supply trains between the Channel Ports and the front line. It was rescued from Barry in 1969, being only the third locomotive to leave the scrapyard, having spent a mere 4 years and 4 months at the yard.

Newly restored GWR 2-6-0 no. 5322 on the turntable at Didcot on 11th April 2009. The loco has some Welsh connections over and above its time at Barry Scrapyard; it was at one point allocated to Cardiff and its early days in preservation were spent at the erstwhile Caerphilly Railway Centre.

GWR 2-6-0 no. 5322 in action on the Didcot demonstration line on 11th April 2009.

GWR 2-6-0 no. 5322 takes water at Didcot on 11th April 2009.

Once again illustrating the authentic steam age atmosphere at Didcot, 1937 GWR Collett 0-6-0PT no. 3738 is seen in the loco shed on 11th April 2009.

One time Llanelly-allocated 1940 GWR 2-8-0 no. 3822 is posed outside the loco shed at Didcot on 11th April 2009.

Replica GWR broad gauge Gooch 'Firefly' 2-2-2 in action on the Didcot broad gauge running line on 11th April 2009.

Former Cardiff Railway and GWR Kitson 0-4-0ST no. 1338 of 1916 pictured at Didcot Railway Centre in April 2001.

Former Cardiff Railway and GWR Kitson 0-4-0ST no. 1338 of 1916 in action at Didcot on 29th May 2006.

In light steam at Didcot on 28th August 2005 was former Alexandra Docks & Railway Company 0-4-0ST (AE 1386/1897) 'Trojan'. The loco has been preserved as GWR 1340.

1910-built GWR 0-6-0ST no. 1361 alongside the coaling stage at Didcot in 1979.

Former Weymouth Quay stalwart 0-6-0PT 1369 at Bewdley, Severn Valley Railway on 24th September 2005.

Preserved as a static exhibit (having last worked in 1941) at Scolton Manor, near Haverfordwest is this 0-6-0ST 'Margaret' built by Fox Walker of Bristol (410/1878). Constructed for the Narberth Road and Maenclochog Railway, the locomotive later worked for the North Pembrokeshire & Fishguard Railway, Gwendraeth Valley Railway, the GWR (no.1378) and Kidwelly Tinplate Company. 16th August, 2008.

A cab view of Fox Walker (410/1878) 0-6-0ST 'Margaret' at Scolton Manor, Haverfordwest on 16th August 2008. Fox Walker were taken over by Thomas Peckett in 1880 and the firm became known as Peckett and Sons, building many locomotives for industrial use in the UK and abroad.

The cabside plate of Fox Walker 0-6-0ST 'Margaret' which dates from its days on the Gwendraeth Valley Railway.

A further view of 1878-built Fox Walker 0-6-0ST 'Margaret' at Scolton Manor, showing the railway cameo which has been created there. The signalbox came from Sarnau, Bancyfelin. 16th August, 2008.

GWR 0-4-2T 1420 waits to leave Danycoed for Bronwydd Arms, Gwili Railway on 22nd October 2002.

1933-built GWR 0-4-2T 1420 at Llwyfan Cerrig, Gwili Railway on 22nd October 2002.

One of the UK's 'forgotten' preserved locomotives. GWR 0-4-2T no. 1442 pictured stored in the open at Tiverton during the 1970s. The locomotive, a veteran of the Tiverton and Hemyock branches, is nowadays esconsed in Tiverton Museum, having pulled the last train to the town in October 1965. What chance a return to steam on one of our heritage railways?

GWR 14xx 0-4-2T no. 1450 runs around its train at Totnes.

An overall view of the Dart Valley Railway's Buckfastleigh terminus, with 0-4-2T 1450 waiting to leave with a train for Totnes.

Illustrating the typical branch line auto train, GWR 0-4-2T 1450 rests in the early autumn sunshine at Hampton Loade on 24th September 2005.

The Dean Forest Railway's GWR 0-4-2T no. 1450 approaches Norchard Low Level with the 1215 from Lydney Junction on 9th October 2005.

The Dean Forest Railway's GWR 0-4-2T no. 1450 approaches Lydney Junction with the 1442 from Norchard on 9th October 2005.

A study of the Dean Forest Railway's 14XX 0-4-2T no. 1450 at Lydney Junction on 9th October 2005. 75 of these attractive little locomotives were built by the GWR for branch line work between 1932 and 1936. Only four survive in preservation.

The DFR's GWR 0-4-2T 1450 makes a spirited departure from Lydney Junction with the 1505 for Norchard on 9th October 2005.

The Dean Forest Railway's extension to Parkend opened for public use on 25th March 2006. On the following day GWR 0-4-2T and autocoach leave Parkend with the 1208 for Lydney Junction.

This is what the railway preservation movement is all about! Deep in the Forest of Dean, 1450 and autocoach with the 1300 from Lydney Junction to Parkend on 26th March 2006. The Dean Forest Railway's extension to Parkend has now opened, offering some superb photographic opportunities.

0-4-2T 1450 rests in the rain at Parkend, 26th March 2006.

The picture that says it all; public trains are back at Parkend for the first time since 1929. The railway is promising to honour any unused tickets from pre-1929! 26th March 2006.

1450 at Norchard High Level with the 1350 Parkend to Lydney Junction on 26th March 2006.

GWR 0-4-2T no. 1466 at Didcot in April 1985.

One of four surviving GWR 14XX class 0-4-2Ts, no. 1466 was built in 1936 for branch line work and is now preserved at Didcot Railway Centre. June 1984.

Recreating the ambience of a GWR branch line halt is 0-4-2T no. 1466 at Didcot.

The 14XX 0-4-2Ts were push-pull fitted for working GWR autotrains, as illustrated by 1466 at Didcot in June 1984.

Another view, taken in April 1985, showing an authentic branch line atmosphere at Didcot.