‘Brit’ a step away From return…

To say it’s been a while is perhaps an understatement – its last trip was almost exactly three years ago (SR448). However, Britannia should rejoin the main line fleet in October after bottom end work that’s included replacement of bearings throughout both the engine and tender.

A loaded trial is expected on a ‘circuit’ from Crewe, taking in Shrewsbury and Chester, once No. 70000 returns from the Severn Valley Railway where it took part in the September gala and has been building up the miles. The BR ‘7MT’ was expected to haul SVR trains on the weekends of September 29/30 and October 6/7 before heading home.

Assuming all goes well, the Riddles machine will then be available, though Peter Greenwood of Locomotive Services Ltd says “nothing specific has been booked for it.” That breathing space will also allow the team at Crewe to give the 1951 Standard a full repaint ‑ its first since it was turned out for its rededication by Prince Charles in early 2012.

So far, he says, the new bearings “have shown no issue whatsoever”.

The ‘Pacific’s’ last main line trip was the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Dartmouth Express’ on October 24 2015; on the return leg it developed what Peter described at the time as “very significant vibration”. At that point it was thought the ‘Brit’ would only be out of action for “months”.

nothing specific has been booked for it

Peter Greenwood