A fine shot of 30062 , now renumbered DS 234 , at Meldon quarry , just west of Okehampton , and the source of track ballast from 1897 .
This engine had replaced the ageing G6 numbered 30238 ( and renumbered DS 682 ) which was withdrawn in December of 1962 , the powerful USA class tank engine seen here proving to be a popular resident at Meldon until its withdrawal in 1966 .
A second engine of this same class , numbered 30064 had been set aside as a replacement , but whether or not it actually got to Meldon is open to doubt as by October 1966 the ballast wagons in and around the quarry complex were handled by Diesel power.
The engine seen here , therefore , was undoubtably destined to be the last steam locomotive to work west of Exeter.