BRADLEY MANOR OUT OF ACTION WITH A BROKEN PISTON ROD

The West Somerset Railway can only call upon two ‘Manors’ for the peak season (see Roster, p28), after ‘78XX’ No. 7802 Bradley Manor broke a piston rod.

On loan to the WSR from the Severn Valley Railway, the Erlestoke Manor Fundowned engine’s piston rod broke on the 10.15am Bishops Lydeard-Minehead service on July 7.

In a joint statement, WSR CME Bob Meanley and EMF chairman Terry Jenkins said: “The locomotive has suffered significant consequential damage and has been withdrawn from service for an investigation and further examination prior to repair. It is likely that the locomotive will be out of service for a considerable period.

“There is no indication linking the failure to the allocated crew on the day. It appears to be a very unfortunate mechanical failure.”

GORDON PACKER The “significant consequential damage” to Bradley Manor ’s right-hand cylinder. The cylinder cover was broken off, plus damage to the casting.