‘SAINT’ DREAM BECOMES A LIVING LEGEND AT DIDCOT

Great Western Society’s recreated Churchward 4-6-0 is officially launched into traffic.

One of the most historically important locomotives in preservation has entered service with the launch of GWR ‘Saint’ No. 2999 Lady of Legend.

The recreated example of George Jackson Churchward’s groundbreaking 1902 two-cylinder 4-6-0 design moved under its own steam for the first time on March 22 – albeit with a Class 08 diesel shunter attached because its vacuum brakes were not yet operational. It made its first solo runs on Didcot Railway Centre’s demonstration line following a steam test on April 1.

It was officially launched into traffic on April 5 by TV presenter

and chef Prue Leith, following a private event two days earlier for supporters of the 2014 Steam Railway appeal for the locomotive.

It completes the Great Western Society’s project to rebuild the locomotive from No. 4942 Maindy Hall, which began in 1973 when the ‘Hall’ was purchased from Barry scrapyard, leaving for Didcot the following year.

Richard Croucher, treasurer and secretary of the Saint Project, recalled: “We bought it on March 31 1973 so we didn’t have to pay VAT – a lot of preservationists were trying to beat that deadline.

“It was also just after Britain went into the European Economic Community – so there is a certain irony in it being finished just before we come out of the EU!”

The project can trace its origins back to the earliest days of the society in the 1960s, he added: “It was originally conceived by one of our members, Peter Rich; Peter Lemar, then chairman of GW Preservations, did much of the negotiation for the sale; Peter Chatman, then the Locomotive Manager, bought it and has been the project manager since; Peter Gransden did a lot of work on the restoration, and Peter Bird chose the name Lady of Legend in the Steam Railway competition.

“There have been so many Peters involved, we should have named it

‘Saint Peter’.”

Completion of the ‘Saint’ is the first stage in a three-part project, the second stage being to run it (as No. 191 Churchward) in the

4-4-2 ‘Atlantic’ form to which some of the original class were converted. The third stage will be the restoration of a suitable Edwardian carriage to run with it – unique surviving 70foot ‘Dreadnought’ Third Corridor No. 3299, dating from 1905.

For the launch, the ‘Saint’ was paired with three coaches from the correct period – 1921-built Churchward Brake Third No. 3755, Dean Full Brake No. 933 of 1898, and 1901 Dean clerestory Third No. 1941.

The GWS was due to showcase the ‘Saint’ along with No. 6023 King Edward II and steam railmotor No. 93 over the Easter weekend, in an event titled ‘The Impossible Dream’, while on June 7-9,

No. 2999 will be in steam alongside an example of one of the GWR’s

THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY PETERS INVOLVED, WE SHOULD HAVE NAMED IT ‘SAINT PETER’ RICHARD CROUCHER

last 4-6-0 designs – ‘Modified Hall’ No. 7903 Foremarke Hall from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

The ‘Saint’ is expected to remain at Didcot for the rest of 2019 before making any visits to other railways. ●● For more on the ‘Saint’ project, see pages 42-46.

TOBY JENNINGS/SR Unique surviving Churchward ‘Dreadnought’ coach No. 3299, stored at the back of Didcot’s carriage shed, will be restored to complement the ‘Saint’.

PETER ZABEK ‘Saint’ No. 2999 Lady of Legend on the demonstration line at Didcot with vintage GWR stock during its official launch weekend on April 7.

EDWARD NEVE The ‘Saint’ alongside No. 6023 King Edward II on April 3.

THOMAS BRIGHT/SR Crowds admire the ‘Saint’ on the Didcot turntable on April 5.

TOBY JENNINGS/SR Richard Croucher, former Great Western Society chairman, and treasurer and secretary of the ‘Saint’ project, looks on as TV presenter and chef Prue Leith cuts the ribbon to launch No. 2999 into traffic on April 5.