GWR 5600 no.6695

6695 was built in 1928 by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle to a design by Charles Collett. It is one of two-hundred 5600 Class locomotives built for the Great Western Railway between 1924-1928, of which nine locos were preserved (including 6695). The 5600 Class was based on the Rhymney Railway M and R class locomotives. 

6695 was originally based at Tyseley shed in Birmingham and was deployed on suburban passenger trains between Birmingham Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon and Leamington Spa. 

In November 1961, 6695 operated the last scheduled passenger train from Neath to Treherbert. It was withdrawn from service in 1964 whilst based at Radyr (Cardiff), and was sold to Barry Scrapyard. The loco left Barry in the late 1970's and was restored to working order over the next 25-30 years. It was based at the Swanage Railway until 2015 when it bowed out of service pending overhaul. The overhaul was completed in 2022 and the loco has seen spells at the West Somerset Railway and the Swindon & Cricklade Railway before arriving at the Avon Valley Railway in September 2025.

The loco is undergoing initial engineering inspections, with steamings to follow - tune into our Facebook or Instagram (@avrbitton) for updates!