Last of the unsteamed Severn Valley locomotives rewheeled
GWR large prairie No. 4150, the last ex-Barry scrapyard locomotive on the Severn Valley Railway to be returned to steam, became a rolling chassis again in Bridgnorth shed on January 31– but only as an 0-6-2.
Designed by Charles Collett it was built at Swindon in 1947 and entered traffic at nearby Stourbridge Junction shed on June 5 that year. It is likely to have run in service over the SVR.
From 1953 until 1962 it was allocated to West Country sheds including Weymouth, Taunton, Exeter and Newton Abbott, where it was used on passenger, freight and banking duties on the South Devon banks, in particular Dainton, and the daily lightweight pick-up goods to Kingswear. Its final shed, in 1962, was Severn Tunnel Junction, where it was used on local passenger trains and piloting and banking duties through the tunnel until being withdrawn in June 1965 and sold for scrap to Woodham Bros of Barry along with several other members of its class from the Severn Tunnel, including Nos. 4110, 4115, 4121, 4144, 4156 and 4160, most of which were subsequently preserved.
No. 4150 left Barry in 1974, the same time as GWR 4-6-0 No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor, and went to the Dean Forest Railway. However, due to access, restoration work proved difficult.
After three years of little progress approaches were made to the SVR which was receptive to having a large prairie, and after an overwhelming vote in favour by shareholders it moved by rail with an overnight stop at Gloucester to Bewdley on January 19, 1978, still in in scrapyard condition.
After sitting in Bewdley yard for 44 years, No. 4150 was moved to Bridgnorth on April 30, 2021.
When GWR 4-6-0 No. 4930 Hagley Hall had its driving wheels fitted on April 21, the frame lift inside Bridgnorth shed became vacant, giving a window of opportunity for No. 4150 to be lifted and thoroughly inspected underneath.
Once raised in August last year, the wheels were removed for repainting and it was discovered the felt pads that lubricate the axles needed replacement. The originals were too hard and would not have allowed enough oil to pass onto the axle for lubrication, causing serious problems in the future.
Rectangular springs are responsible for pushing the felt held in a cage against the axle, these were also life expired so needed replacement.
Each spring costs £24 and has to be specially made. Running maintenance team leader Will Marsh ordered a set of replacements which are now fitted. The wheels have to be removed to enable replacement of the pads, so it was deemed essential that this is done now.
The frames and wheels are now painted, and the radial truck and six drivers were fitted on January 31 with the connecting rods prepared ready for fitting. The front pony truck will be fitted at a later date using the wheeldrop.
With the boiler presently being worked on, it is hoped that No. 4150 could be completed the middle of 2023.
➜ If you would like to support the swift return to steam of this very useful locomotive which is ideal for the SVR, visit www.4150.org.uk