Sweet treat for Tyseley’s chocolate engine
ITS rail yard closed in 1976 and its locomotives sold or scrapped, but with the Cadbury Bournville factory in Birmingham celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, plans are underway that may see one of its industrial 0-4-0Ts make a brief return to its former stomping ground.
Built by the Avonside Engine Company in 1925 for the chocolate factory’s expanding yard, No. 1977 moved the heavy loads around some rather tight bends within the complex, which totalled about six miles of track. The demise of the yard, which was established in 1884, came about because of road transportation.
No. 1977, which was identified as Cadbury No. 1, was sold to the Dowty Railway Preservation Society in 1963 when diesel traction displaced steam. Initially moved to its site at Ashchurch, Gloucestershire, in 1983 No. 1 moved to the fledgling Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway where in April the following year it worked the heritage line’s first public trains. It remained the nascent heritage line’s only operational steam locomotive until the end of 1985 when it was withdrawn.
As the G/WR’s services expanded and outgrew the capabilities of industrial tank engines, No. 1 was sold to the Birmingham Railway Museum (now Tyseley Locomotive Works) in 1988, where it was overhauled and returned to steam for a spell. However, it has now spent many years out of service and stored outdoors on one of the turntable roads.
The project to cosmetically restore the locomotive is being led by Severn Valley Railway volunteer and Bournville resident Andrew Christie, a train driver instructor for Cross Country Trains, based at Birmingham New Street, who said: “Being a resident of Bournville with a passion for steam engines, for me this is the right thing to do!
“The first steam locomotive I drove as a youngster was a 7 ¼in gauge model of an Avonside tank engine, which was painted as Cadbury
No. 2. This happened during my early days of volunteering on the Severn Valley Railway. I also have a family connection to the chocolate factory as both my father and grandfather worked as electricians at Bournville for a time.
“The brand Cadbury is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year and knowing that No. 1 is 100 next year, I thought the time was right to make the loco look a bit smarter.
“Why a cosmetic restoration? Simply because it’s the right thing to do for now.
“Inevitably, a full restoration will cost well over £100,000, with new tanks, boiler and smokebox required. Alistair Meanley informed me that the boiler was tired last time Tyseley refurbished it. The locomotive is a full kit of parts and could run again, but for now it would just be nice to make it look smarter for its 100th anniversary.”
The estimated cost for the refurbishment is about £5000, although Andrew has set a target for £10,000 to cover any material price increases, as well as hopefully fund the lorry moves that could see the locomotive temporarily return home for display during the anniversary celebrations, including during a heritage day planned by residents of Bournville village on September 14. A road closure on Bournville Green is planned to allow for a display of vintage vehicles and classic cars – and hopefully No. 1, with the potential for a return visit in 2025 for the locomotive’s own centenary. Andrew also hopes to establish a photographic display at the attraction showing workings in the yard.
➜ To support the appeal, visit www. gofundme.com/f/back-to-bournville