Britannia boiler goes back in its frames at Crewe
THE boiler of BR Standard Class 7 Pacific No. 70000 Britannia has been lowered back into its frames at Locomotive Services Limited's base at Crewe in the latest stage in its 10-yearly overhaul.
In recent weeks, the boiler, which was returned to the frames on November 8, has passed both of its hydraulic and steam tests.
At the same time, the mechanical department had been working very hard to ensure the rolling chassis was ready to receive the boiler, checking all the motion and valve gear and renewing components where necessary.
Britannia was withdrawn from traffic in September 2020.
Meanwhile, LNER A4 4-6-2 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, having been turned out at the National Railway Museum workshop in wartime black as a protective coat of paintwork, was taken by road to Crewe for completion.
On arrival, both cladding and ‘cod's mouth' were removed to enable steam pipes to be fitted – a job that might be finished by late November.
Bearing in mind that the workshop is giving priority to the needs of Locomotive Services and that work on the A4 is being carried out by volunteers, it has been accepted that No. 60007 will not be main line certified until next year. It is now planned to send it to the Severn Valley Railway for running-in this winter, ahead of an anticipated return to the national network in the spring.
Its overhaul is running 12 months behind schedule because of Covid-19 and it will be the sole remaining main line certified A4 when completed.
Elsewhere at Crewe, work on A2 4-6-2 No. 60532 Blue Peter and GWR 4-6-0 Nunney Castle remains ongoing, leaving ‘Black Five' No. 45231 The Sherwood Forester, West Country 4-6-2 No. 34046 Braunton and LMS 4-6-0 No. 46100 Royal Scot available for heading Saphos Trains tours.