MODIFIED HALL CLASS 4-6-0 No. 7903 FOREMARKE HALL
Trading as 7903 Ltd
Company Registration Number 05674378 VAT Registration Number 863153526
The two Johns whose skill and dedication keep our loco on the tracks
Our Locomotive Manager John Cruxon was Shedmaster for the day so wore the official bowler
Peering out just behind him is John Hancock whose GW loco expertise is invaluable
In May 1964, when steam was coming to an end, Pendennis Castle took part in a high-performance farewell trip from Paddington to Taunton with the aim of achieving 100mph. The run was to use 4 Castle locomotives and each one was carefully selected (there weren’t many left by 1964) to be in the best condition and it was hoped that 100mph would be attained on more than one occasion.
The train was run in conjunction with the Ian Allen publishing group. Pendennis Castle 4079 was selected to run the Paddington to Plymouth section.
Decked out in finery headboard and Z48 reporting number, all was going well with 95mph attained. Unfortunately, at Westbury the engine was failed with a melted fire grate (the coal burned too hot).
The only engine available at Westbury was a Hall exactly like our Foremarke Hall 7903 number 6999 Capel Dewi Hall. It ran like the wind and got the special train back on track. The other Castle did very well and one of them 7029 Clun Castle is preserved at Tyseley.
With the visit of 4079 Pendennis Castle for the GWSR Steam Festival over the weekend of 12-14 May the Railway decided to commemorate this event and convert 7903 to 6999 for the event