LittLe and often: didcot’s smaLL engine overhauL pLan
schedule consolidates ‘ambitions’ to bring four tank engines – and Fire Fly – back into action.
Didcot Railway Centre has produced an ambitious overhaul plan that could return four of its GWR tank engines to steam in 2021. Unique ‘1361’ 0‑6‑0ST No. 1363, the Great Western Society’s mascot ‘14XX’ 0‑4‑2T No. 1466 and ‘8750’ 0‑6‑0PT No. 3650, are all involved – with two overhauls due to start in parallel next year. It is planned to begin work on the ‘14XX’ early in 2018, with the aim of completing it by 2021 – the 60th anniversary of the society’s formation in 1961 to preserve one of the Collett autotanks. No. 1466 was duly acquired from BR three years later, and this overhaul will be its third in preservation, the engine having last steamed in 2000. It is expected that the boiler work will be put out to contract, and a replacement firebox backplate has already been pressed by South Devon Railway Engineering – the GWS sharing the cost with the SDR, which was making one for its own No. 1420. The total cost of the overhaul is estimated at £200,000, of which approximately £165,000 has been raised by an appeal first launched for the engine in 2012 (SR405). Donations can be sent to the GWS at Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7NJ, marked for No. 1466 (while No. 1363 also has a dedicated fund). The overhaul of No. 3650 will also commence in 2018, with the aim of having it back in service in 2021 to replace Railmotor No. 93, whose boiler certificate will expire that year. The pannier needs new tyres, but is otherwise expected to be in good mechanical order. Next on the list will be ‘1361’ 0‑6‑0ST No. 1363, whose overhaul has slowed in recent years, but will resume in mid‑2019 with a view to completion in early 2021. The unique Churchward dock shunter last steamed in the late 1970s, and its overhaul began in 2008. In addition, the GWS plans to begin the overhaul of replica broad gauge 2‑2‑2 Fire Fly in mid‑2018 for completion in mid‑2019 – to once again provide working steam for Didcot’s 7ft 0¼in gauge demonstration line. GWS Chairman Richard Croucher stressed that the plan is “an ambition”, commenting: “The one we definitely want back for 2021 is the ‘14XX’, but No. 1363 is a much bigger job. “The team who overhauled No. 3650 are keen to put it through a second term, and since Fire Fly’s boiler was new and it hasn’t run too much, we hope it won’t need much more than a re‑tube.” A fourth tank engine – and first into service – will be Alexandra Docks Railway 0‑4‑0ST No. 1340 Trojan, which is being overhauled by Locomotive Maintenance Services of Loughborough. Originally due to steam in 2017, it has been delayed by additional boiler work, but it is now hoped that it will be ready in 2018.