No. 6990

GWR MODIFIED HALL 4-6-0 6990 “Witherslack Hall”

Designed by F. W. Hawksworth, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway (GWR), 6990 “Witherslack Hall” is one of 71 Modified Hall locomotives built — and one of just six preserved today.

Fittingly, 6990 has historic ties to GCR metals: it was selected to take part in the 1948 Locomotive Exchange Trials, a key moment in post-war railway history. These trials followed the nationalisation of Britain’s railways, when the newly formed British Railways sought to identify the best locomotive designs from the “Big Four” companies — GWR, LMS, LNER, and SR.

Each locomotive was tested on routes outside its home region. Due to clearance restrictions, 6990 was the only GWR engine able to run on non-GW metals and was assigned to the Great Central route between Marylebone and Manchester. In June 1948, “Witherslack Hall” ran express services on the GCR, where it performed impressively under test conditions. Its eventual restoration at Loughborough makes its GCR connection all the more fitting.

In revenue service, 6990 spent most of its working life at Old Oak Common, the main GWR depot serving Paddington Station. It also saw a year at Oxford and spent its final two years based in Bristol. Notably, it was frequently used on the high-speed Worcester to Paddington services. At one time, the 4.00pm up train from Worcester had the fastest booked time on the Western Region — covering 63.5 miles from Oxford to Paddington in just 60 minutes. Records show 6990 often completed the run in under 56 minutes.

From Bristol, 6990 also worked cross-country trains linking Weymouth and Salisbury to South Wales, via Bristol.

The locomotive was withdrawn from service on 17th December 1965, and moved to Woodham Bros scrapyard in Barry in February 1966.

It was later saved by the Witherslack Hall Locomotive Society, arriving at Quorn & Woodhouse on the present-day GCR on 29th November 1975. Following a prolonged restoration, 6990 entered traffic on 30th August 1986.

In January 2006, ownership was formally transferred to the David Clarke Railway Trust, ensuring its long-term preservation.

Since then, 6990 has undergone three major overhauls at the GCR. In 2013, it also received a tender swap, exchanging its Collett 4000-gallon tender for a Hawksworth 4000-gallon example from its older sister, 4930 “Hagley Hall”.

Thanks to its improved draughting, 6990 is known for a particularly loud and crisp exhaust beat, making it a favourite among both footplate crews and visitors. Its elegant GWR lines and expressive performance continue to make it one of the most recognisable and well-loved locomotives in preservation.