A number of the Maunsell W class 2-6-4 Tank engines were deployed as bankers between Exeter's St.David's and Central stations in late 1962 , replacing the "Z" class that had been in such use since 1959. In this view " W " 31914 has coupled up to the last van and is ready to assist up the one in thirty seven half mile climb from here at St. Davids up into Central .
All such bankers were required to couple up to the train that they were assisting , not just " buffering up " , but as all such workings halted on arrival at Central this posed no difficulty.