Nameplate, BUDLEIGH SALTERTON with original 'Devon' Enamel Shield in its original brass surround and original West Country Class Scroll. Ex Southern Railway 'West Country' Class 4-6-2 Pacific number 21C114, built Eastleigh in November 1945 with naming taking place in June 1946. Renumbered to 34014 under the British Railways regime in November 1949. Air-smooth casing removed and loco rebuilt in March 1958 after 573,677 miles service . An Exmouth Junction loco for the majority of the time but also saw a stint at Brighton. Withdrawn in March 1965 after 837,477 miles service and cut up by Birds at Bridgend. This is the early, thin casting with packing washers brazed onto the back. There are two hairline cracks around the bottom 2 bolt holes, no doubt caused by stress running at high speeds over Southern metals. The set is totally original, with the crest having some minor restoration, as was usual with these and both plate and scroll are face restored. One of only three WCs with two lines, the others being Blandford Forum and Blackmoor Vale. The Shield with the Devon Crest is ex loco on the rear and still retains its original, thin steel retaining band which has severe corrosion at the base. The hairline cracks in the main nameplate had been 'stopped and plugged' by Eastleigh which did the trick because judging by the patina on the back, it was carried until withdrawal without further problems.
Category:
Auction: November 2007, Lot: 470
Sold for: GBP£21,000