Photo:
Robert Frise - Wightwick Hall in Quainton's Up yard October 2018

In 2018 Wightwick Hall became the 150th steam locomotive to have been restored to operational condition after being rescued from Dai Woodham's famous Barry Scrap Yard in South Wales. This was the culmination of a 42 year restoration by the 6989 Restoration Group, the story of which is told in these pages.

Wightwick Hall has so far won two awards for its restoration:

• Runner up Heritage Railway Association Coiley Award 2020
• Highly Commended Transport Trust Award in 2011

The following pages summarize the history of Wightwick Hall, its rescue from Barry, its restoration, and its operation as a restored locomotive. They expand on the original stockbook entry, and replace the previous dedicated website for 6989, and will be added to in due course.

Mainline Operational History
Rescue from Barry
Restoration
Heritage Operations

6989 Wightwick Hall in Print
Jeff Jackson has produced a book detailing 6989 Wightwick Hall's history from leaving Swindon Works to entry back into operation. It is available from Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions here.

Friends of 6989 Wightwick Hall
For a minimum contribution of £5 a month you can become a 'Friend of 6989 Wightwick Hall. You will receive regular newsletters to keep you up-to-date with the operation of the loco and an invitation to an Annual 6989 Open Day. To join please:

• Pick up a leaflet in the Visitor Centre at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Or


• Write to the Hon Treasurer 6989 Group, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4BY.

The Sales Coach:
The dedicated 6989 sales team works from a mark 2 coach body placed outside the Up Yard restoration shed. They sell a mixture of new and second hand goods plus craft items donated by our supporters as well as a number of second hand railway books. We try to specialise in children 's toys and second hand tools. If you can help in either of these areas, especially with tools, all donations are welcome. As with all groups we are short of volunteers to man the shop and would welcome assistance in this area.

Donations:
Refurbishment of the tender, replacement of springs and procurement of running spares are the current priorities. It is estimated that this will cost around £20k to accomplish. Progress on this will be directly determined by the funds that can be raised. Activity was suspended due to Covid 19 with fund raising also curtailed with the only income from the support group subscriptions, for which we are very grateful. Any donations will shorten the time we will take to complete the work and will of course be very welcome. Donations should be made out to QRS Ltd (6989 Group) and sent to Treasurer 6989 Group, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4BY.

Articles in Quainton News:
Wightwick Hall for Quainton - Quainton News No. 31 - Spring 1977
Welcome to Wightwick Hall - Quainton News No. 34 Spring 1978
Shed Noticeboard - 6989 Report - Quainton News No. 64 - Winter 1987 / 88
6989 Group - Quainton News No. 66 - Winter 1989 / 90
6989 - Restoration Work in 1993 - David P Stribley - Quainton News No. 72 - March 1993
6989 Update - Jeff Jackson - Quainton News No. 97 - April 2007
6989 Update - Jeff Jackson - Quainton News No. 98 - October 2007
6989 Update - Jeff Jackson - Quainton News No. 99 - April 2008
A Night on Sixty-Nine Eighty Nine - Christopher Tanous - Quainton News No. 99 - April 2008
6989 update - Jeff Jackson - Quainton News No. 100 October 2008
6989 update - Jeff Jackson - Quainton News No. 102 - October 2009
Fleet Report: 6989 Wightwick Hall - Quainton News Nos. 105 - 107 Triple Issue 2011/12