Looking at the Cotswold Festival of Steam programme, Nick Jones of 5542 Limited, owners of the small Prairie with the same number, were impressed at the milestones being recorded this year - end of steam, nationalisation of the railways etc.  Well, to add to the two fortieths, the sixtieth and the centenary being celebrated he has pointed out that 2008 marks the 80th birthday of the lovely little 2-6-2T.

No doubt 80 years ago right now the frames were cut and being assembled as no. 5542 was going through its gestation at the Great Western Railway's Swindon works.  Gradually, the chassis will have taken place, the boiler manufactured and fitted, the tanks and cab assembled and finally, into the sunshine will have emerged the engine we see today: in fact, on 2nd August 1928 no. 5542 made its way to Gloucester where it spent the early part of its life. It is also known to have spent time at Cheltenham and will, without doubt, will have worked over the Cheltenham to Honeybourne line, part of which forms the modern-day GWR.

5542 then went on to Taunton where it stayed for many years, before moving to Westbury, from where it was withdrawn in December 1961 and despatched to the extensive scrapyard of Dai Woodham at Barry, in South Wales.

In fact, 5542 was one of the last of the class to be built.  They were first introduced by G J Curchward, way back in 1904, designed to work over the hilly West Country branch lines. The prototype, no. 115, was an instant hit and it wasn't long before production began and continued, with various modifications over the years, until 1929. The last of the 'small Praries' was withdrawn in 1964, underlining their success and usefulness.

During the 2008 Cotswold Festival of Steam, 5542 will be working with two auto trailers - no. 163 from Llangollen and 178 from the Dean Forest.  A genuine GWR combination and what a way to celebrate you 80th birthday!