Photo:
Keith Till - 6989 Restoration Group Collection - 6989 at Barry Easter 1977
Originally on 6989's former website

Wightwick Hall spent 13 years five months languishing in the salt air of Barry, before being rescued by the Quainton Railway Society. The loco was the 88th engine to leave Barry to go into preservation. Mike Lawrence Low Loaders moved 6989 and tender to Quainton. Mike has recollected that 6989 was the fifth of over 80 engines he liberated from Barry.

The Wightwick Hall Appeal Fund was launched in 1975 and by 1977 had raised enough to buy the engine and Collett pattern tender 2825, that was last coupled with 7927 Willington Hall. [Reference 1] Tender 2825 previously ran with Halls 5998, 4934, 5908, 4098, 4991, 6939, 4939, 6995, 6972, 4956 and 5089. [Reference 2] The Collett tender 2933 that went into Barry with 6989 was acquired by the Great Western Society when it bought Drysllwyn Castle / Earl Bathurst and left Barry on 14th February 1970. Our tender arrived at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre on 24th July 1977. The frame and running gear of tender 2825 were refurbished and are being fitted with an all welded tank so is renumbered 4019 so as to bear a historically correct number consistent with all welded tank construction. A small batch of Collett pattern all welded tank 4000 gallon tenders were built under Lot A186, 4019 being outshopped in in June 1946. [Reference 3] Tender 4019 was scrapped sometime after June 1961 and had previously run with Halls 7007, 4022, 7012, 7013, 5095, 5086, 6972, 7008, 5097 and 6911.

Photo:
Alan Vessey - Founder Member Rod Thomas handing over cheque to Dai Woodham for the purchase of 6989 on 8th January 1977
Originally on 6989's former website

Photo:
6989 Restoration Group Collection - Tender No. 2825 leaving Barry 23rd July 1977
Originally on 6989's former website

Photo:
6989 Restoration Group Collection - Wightwick Hall leaving Barry 8th January 1978
Originally on 6989's former website

Wightwick Hall arrived at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre on 9th January 1978. The restoration of 6989 was to take almost 42 years. 6989 made preservation history when it became the 150th ex-Barry loco to steam when it moved under its own power on 11 December 2018. The loco performed its first passenger service since 1964 on 2 March 2019 and was launched to the public on 3 March 2019.

Photo:
C Tayler - Wightwick Hall on route to Quainton January 1978

Photo:
6989 Restoration Group Collection - Wightwick Hall arriving at Quainton January 1978
Originally on 6989's former website

Photo:
Anon 6989 Group Collection - Wightwick Hall arriving at Quainton January 1978

References:
1 - Craig Astel
2 - P Chatman, Heritage Railway Issue 126 page 41
3 - Craig Astel