■ Dicot's flagship will steam at 60th anniversary if £ 60k is raised
THE Great Western Society has launched a £ 60,000 appeal to ensure that its first locomotive, Collett 0- 4- 2T No. 1466, returns to steam at Didcot Railway Centre in 2021 as part of celebrations to mark the group's 60th anniversary.
The locomotive's £ 300,000 overhaul is making steady progress, with repairs to the wheels and motion largely complete and the 1936- built locomotive close to being a rolling chassis once more.
However, extensive boiler work is still required, including a new foundation ring, a new smokebox, specialist copper welding to the firebox, the replacement of the crown stays and a full retube.
The latest tasks to be completed are the refitting of the steam brake cylinder and brake shaft, fabrication of a new bunker, machining of the valve guide bearings and the painting of the frames.
The restoration team has begun fitting new sections of the bunker, both corner pieces having been manufactured by the South Devon Railway.
Western Steam Engineering, based at Coleford in the Forest of Dean, is undertaking the work and providing that the final funds are in place, No. 1466 will return to Didcot early next year.
No. 1466 was based at Newton Abbot almost all its working life, transferring to Taunton prior to withdrawal. It was bought in April 1964 for £ 750, and delivered to the society's former Totnes Quay branch depot.
The society's marketing and events manager Graham Hukins said:" lt was an appeal to save a 14XX almost six decades ago that led to the creation of the Great Western Society and, in turn, to the establishment of Didcot Railway Centre and its growth to become the 21 acre living museum it is today.
"The current enforced closure means we cannot fund the work from admission income so we're asking for some help to get the delightful, octogenarian tank engine back on the rails:'
➔ If you would like to donate to the overhaul appeal, visit bit. ly/ DRC- 1466