Most websites about individual engines are either because they were famous or are today preserved.
5028 was “Unsung” and is long gone, but she was well liked by the Great Western footplate men who drove and fired her. She worked mainly in the Newton Abbot & Laira Areas.
The following pages trace her story from “Birth” in 1934 to her untimely “Death” in 1960.
The Accident - The End.
Condemned after having travelled 1,345,291 miles or 54 times around the world.
Early on Wednesday 16th December D602 came off the train at Plymouth Station and handed over to 5028 Llantilio Castle for the rest of the journey to Penzance.The diesel had some problems, so went ahead of the main train to turn on the Millbay triangle before going to Laira shed. Unfortunately she failed, undetected, across the main line that 5028 was about to use!
D602 - The Diesel which caused the Accident!
The accident spot - the diamond crossing at right/centre of photo.
It happened at West Junction, sometimes known as Cornwall Loop Junction.
The Railway Observer No372 Feb 1960 Page48
Reported:-
The 10.30 pm Paddington to Penzance train hauled by 5028 Llantilio Castle was in collision with 2,000 hp diesel-hydraulic D602 Bulldog at Devonport Junction, outside Plymouth Station. Both roads were blocked for 3 hours and special buses were provided to cater for the rush hour crowds.
Note: For many years the sleeper left Paddington at 9.50 p.m. (see Larry Crosier’s letter on page after next) but at the start of the 1959 winter timetable it was moved to 10.30 p.m.
