5542 - The Planet's Favourite Prairie

5542 is a GWR 4575 Class 2-6-2T "small prairie" tank engine which was built in 1928 and withdrawn by British Railways in December 1961, she spent the next fourteen years in a scrapyard before being acquired for preservation.

After many years of hard work restoring her she entered traffic on the West Somerset Railway in autumn 2002, she has since moved to work on a number of other heritage lines and her first 10 year boiler overhaul in preservation has just been completed. While she was on the West Somerset she was dubbed "The Planet's Favourite Prairie" by her dedicated bunch of followers - many of whom have photos of her on this site.

Sad news to relay to all our friends, Shareholders and supporters is that our Long-Term Shareholder and supporter of all things associated with 5542, Trevor Barnett has passed away today. Trevor has been involved with us since the mid 70.s and spent many happy hours on the footplate of 5542 in WSR use. He will be sadly missed, R.I.P Trevor.

Trevor's funeral will be held at Taunton Deane Crematorium on Wednesday 23rd January at 12 Midday followed by a gathering of Friends and Colleagues at The Quantock Brewery, Broadguage Business Park Bishops Lydeard Taunton TA4 3RU. Dress for the funeral can be optional footplate overalls if appropriate. An indication of attendance at the FRIENDS/COLLEAGUES gathering afterwards by E mail before 17th January Please. would be very helpful

5542 is currently at the South Devon Railway where she is often working with one of our autos W233W, there are lots photos on our Facebook page

Work has started on our Mk1 BSK, 34991, there's photos on BSK 34991 with more added 16/6/16.

Don't forget our Auto Trailers, 169 and W233W, progress with their restoration is covered on Auto 169

If you require some space on your bookshelves we will be pleased to receive your surplus transport related items for resale.

If you've been impressed with the timescale of the overhaul process and our 'blow by blow 'account of what's involved a quick visit to the 'Donations' page might just help us a little.

We have been asked how you can help us with donations so there is now a new page Donations

5542's owning group are also restoring GWR Autotrailer 169 and W233W. click on the banner to visit the site with all the news and details of the appeal for this project.

5542 with autocoach near Bishops Lydeard, WSR

With the 15.30 Auto service from Bishops Lydeard to Norton Fitzwarren on 02/10/2011 5542 propels its penultimate service of the first 10 year boiler certificate past Longlands Farm. Photo copyright John Wood

5542 being loaded at Bishops Lydeard for transport to the SDR

Within 90 minutes of the above photo 5542 was loaded and departing for Buckfastleigh Photo copyright John Wood

5542 with an engineers train at Williton

With just 4 days remaining on its 10 year boiler certificate 5542 drifts into Williton at the head of a short engineers train 29/09/11 (copyright John Wood)

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THE PLANET'S FAVOURITE PRAIRIE

We restored this rusted hulk over many years, help us keep her running by Getting Involved

For enquiries about 5542 please e-mail Chairman of 5542 Ltd

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I'm a poet and didn't know it
Said the driver for a fiver.
As he made his cup of tea
with water from the PFP.
Now steam is up, 'tis time to start
a journey along beside the Dart
up and down the Devon line
push and pulling 169
'til at last it's back to shed
and head for home and then to bed.