26043 Restoration

Traction Motor Lift 2014 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

On 23rd March 2014, D5343 is in the car park at Toddington being prepared to be lifted to enable removal of a defective traction motor.

D5343 is lifted using jacks to enable the bogies to be rolled out from under the loco.

The first bogie is successfully rolled out.

This side view, with a low loader lorry in the background, makes it look like D5343 has had rubber tyre wheels fitted!

A traction motor is lifted from the bogie of D5343.

The body of D5343 remained on jacks in the car park at Toddington, until repairs were complete and the loco was reunited with its bogies.

26043 in preservation

Loco on display for the Group AGM, 7th April 2013 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

D5343 displayed in the car park at Toddington on the date of the 2013 AGM.

D5343 displayed in the car park at Toddington. Shareholders and supporters had the opportunity to inspect the loco, that was nearing the end of a 19 year restoration.

The information sheet attached to D5343 whilst on display in Toddington station car park.

Another view of D5343 in the car park at Toddington. The loco entered service for the first time in preservation 3 months later.

Visit to the South Devon Railway, 7th November 2015 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Entering Buckfastleigh, taken from the cab of Class 25, D7612.

D5343 running round to the front of the coaches at Buckfastleigh.

A view of Buckfastleigh station, with D5343 at the platform.

D5343 ready to go to Totnes.

​Visit to the Dean Forest Railway 4th September 2016 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Running around at Parkend, deep in the Forest of Dean.

Leaving Parkend to go south to Lydney Junction.

Arriving at Norchard from Lydney Junction.

On a freight at Lydney Junction.

​Visit to the Swanage Railway 5th May 2017 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Arriving at Norden, with Corfe Castle in the background.

Making friends with 50026 'Indomitable' at Swanage.

D5343 at the north end of Swanage station.

Arriving at Corfe Castle from Norden.

​Visit to the West Somerset Railway 9th June 2017 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

At the platform at Minehead.

On the turntable at Minehead.

Arriving at Crowcombe Heathfield.

At Bishops Lydeard waiting to leave for Minehead.

​Visit to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway 13th August 2017 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Off the end of the platform at Duffield - Waiting to go to Wirksworth.

At Wirksworth - Ravenstor incline visible on the right.

Crossing 31206 at Shottle, arriving from Wirksworth.

Arriving at Shottle from Duffield.

​Visit to the Great Central Railway 10th September 2017 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

D5343 having its picture taken at Loughborough Central.

Arriving at Quorn & Woodhouse behind D5185.

Arriving at Rothley from Leicester North.

Leaving Rothley for Loughborough Central.

​Visit to the Epping & Ongar Railway 23rd September 2017 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

At North Weald platform.

Helping out shunter 03119 with a train from Ongar.

Passing 45132 as it runs round at North Weald.

D5343 with a rake of blue/grey coaches - very nice!

​Visit to the Mid Norfolk Railway 17th-18th March 2018 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

What a combination of new and old! Class 88 No.88008 'Ariadne' pilots D5343 into Dereham.

Resting at Dereham, attracting attention from photographers.

The' Beast from the East' weather front hits hard on Sunday, with temp down to -9 degrees! At Dereham alongside 33035.

Crossing keeper with flags goes to open the level crossing. D5343 still running !!

​Visit to the Mid Hants Railway 3rd June 2018 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Alton is a main line and heritage line station.

47579 waits at Medstead and Four Marks to go to Alton as D5343 arrives.

Arriving at Alresford.

Running round at Alresford.

Views from the cab, 23rd April 2019 (All photos by Chris Taylor)

Ready to depart Broadway.

About to collect the token from the signalman at Toddington.

Running in to Cheltenham Racecourse station.

The Hunting Butts Tunnel side of the main road bridge at Cheltenham Racecourse station during the run round.