History: The 'Austerity' class was developed in 1943 for rapid construction during wartime conditions and used steel fabrications rather than castings in its construction both for speed and so as not to use foundry time that was needed elsewhere for the war effort.
377 were constructed by 1945 and were used at ordnance depots, military stores and coal mines etc. under the order of the Ministry of Supply. Subsequent batches were produced to the same design up to 1964 for various customers making a total of 485 locos.
Glendower was built for the National Coal Board and was allocated to the South Wales area, working at several collieries including Talywain, Bleanavon and Hafodyrynys (near Pontypool).
It was out of use by 1972 and was privately purchased in 1973 for preservation. It was kept initially at the Bitton Railway Centre near Bristol where the owners returned it to working order late in 1976.
In 1978 it was moved to Buckfastleigh where it has been ever since, apart from an 18 month loan to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in 1992/3.
In the 30 years it has been in private ownership it has been in steamable condition for aprox 16 of these. It is currently dismantled for a boiler overhaul but unfortunately is some way down the restoration list.
© South Devon Railway Trust 2003
