‘Forgotten’ Class 27 on the comeback trail
WORK ON the restoration of Class 27 D5410 (27059) is advancing at UK Rail Leasing’s Leicester depot, with the likelihood that the locomotive will be available for visits to heritage railway events in time for the 2022 season – more than two decades since it last hauled a train.
Owner and UKRL co-founder Ed Stevenson gave Railways Illustrated a tour of the locomotive during a visit to UKRL’S Leicester facility in early August. He explained that the restoration of D5410 should have been completed by now, but other UKRL work has had to take priority. However, he stated that completion of the Class 27 was expected before the end of the year, at which point it would be available for visits to heritage lines.
Recent progress has seen the fibreglass cab roof sections replaced with new mouldings. The interior of the cabs of D5410 have been completely rewired and refitted, while new cab floors have also been fitted after the metal framework below the floor was replaced due to corrosion.
The only remaining outstanding work on the cabs is some woodwork installation and the refitting of the internal ceilings.
Elsewhere on the locomotive, there is also some work required on the bogies and the power unit before it can return to service. Mr Stevenson confirmed that the 27 will carry BR green livery following completion. The bodywork was extensively overhauled at the East Somerset Railway by Cranmore Traincare and Maintenance Services and currently carries green primer on the bodywork, with it still requiring rubbing down and repainting; final painting will not be carried out until it is is ready for service.
It is now more than 20 years since the Class 27 last hauled a train. This occurred when it was based at its previous home on the Severn Valley Railway.
Having left the SVR in early 2016 for a major bodywork overhaul to address severe corrosion, the Type Two spent a short period in store at Tyseley Locomotive Works before moving to Leicester, where it is now based.