Worth Valley Standard 4MT set for two-year turn-round

A RETURN to steam within two years is expected for BR 4MT 4-6-0 No. 75078 at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

As reported last issue, the locomotive’s boiler was lifted from the frames on April 24 to undergo a full overhaul for a new 10-year boiler certificate. It had been stopped in 2019, having suffered recurring leaks from one of its superheater elements.

Stuart Bray, chairman of its owning group, the Standard 4 Locomotive Preservation Society, said: “If 2020 had been normal, I’m sure 75078 would have seen service later that year, but it was not to be.

“The railway went into lockdown and the steam fleet was mothballed.”

A review by the locomotive department this year concluded that, with S160 No. 5820, Ivatt 2MT 2-6-2T No. 41241, 4F

No. 43924 and BR 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78022 all available, and No. 75078’s boiler certificate due to expire in 2024, it was worth bringing forward the 4MT’s overhaul.

Grant funding

Said Stuart: “It is expected that the work will concentrate on the boiler, as the engine did have a rather comprehensive overhaul between 1999 and 2014 and has only run about 15,000 miles since then.

“But certain items of the rest of the locomotive will be inspected and receive attention as necessary.

“It is anticipated that a return to traffic would be between the end of 2021, when 43924 is due its next overhaul, and 2023, when 5820 runs out of ticket.

“The KWVR Trust has agreed to make a grant towards the boiler work which will hopefully be enough to cover the costs.”

The Standard 4 Locomotive Preservation Society also owns No. 78022 and many of its members “make contributions to the trust each year to cover this sort of eventuality,” said Stuart.

Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T No. 85 is currently undergoing a boiler retube and copper welding to the firebox tubeplate, while No. 41241 is receiving a valve and piston examination.