Overhauls, restorations and running notes
GWR & CONSTITUENTS
2857 The Severn Valley Railway-based Churchward 2-8-0 underwent a loaded test run at the Bridgnorth Kidderminster line on April 10, ahead of its move to the Mid-Hants Railway on April 12 for its appearance at the Watercress Line’s Spring Steam Gala on April 29-May 2. The 2857 Society-owned locomotive was transported on the same low-loader which had delivered ‘Saint’ No. 2999 Lady of Legend for the SVR’s Spring Steam Gala. This will be No. 2857’s final year in traffic, as its boiler ticket expires on July 22. The society is in discussions with the SVR as to when No. 2857 will enter the works for overhaul.
4930 The overhaul of the Severn Valley Railway’s ‘Hall’ is now in its very final stages at Bridgnorth, with some of the most recent jobs over the last month being new components to make up the driver’s side main steam pipe assembly, the fitment of the fireman’s side injector delivery pipe, front platework being fitted and the new chimney being dropped in place. At the time of going to press, the finishing touch of its copper capping, made by an external supplier, still needed to be delivered. Non-functional ATC equipment has also been installed in Hagley Hall’s cab for aesthetic effect. The overhaul started in October 2013 and was planned to be finished during 2020. When it returns to service, No. 4930 will be the oldest ‘Hall’ operating in the UK following the export of sister No. 4920 Dumbleton Hall to Japan be part of a Harry Potter exhibit at Warner Bros Studio in Tokyo.
5542 The ‘4575’ ‘Small Prairie’ (above) was repainted into BR unlined green with an early crest for the first time since 1961 for the final weeks of its boiler ticket. Based at the South Devon Railway, the 2-6-2T has only carried variants of GWR green since it was restored in 2002, but with its boiler ticket set to expire on April 17, its owner – 5542 Ltd – agreed to let it be transformed into its latter-day BR guise before it bowed out of traffic. Once withdrawn, No. 5542 will enter the workshops for a full overhaul.
9466 Hawksworth ‘94XX’ No. 9466 has been announced as the second visiting locomotive for the Epping Ongar Railway’s 10th Anniversary Steam Gala on June 2-5. The West Somerset Railway-based pannier tank lines up alongside Severn Valley Railway-based BR ‘4MT’ No. 75069; the pair will be reunited at the EOR following their appearance at the WSR’s own Spring Steam Gala in May (see News).
SR & CONSTITUENTS
34070 Much progress has been made on Southern Locomotives Ltd’s ‘Battle of Britain’ recently, as its overhaul nears completion. This has included refurbishing the window frames, the gauge glass shrouds and cab roof being cleaned and painted, and the injectors being refurbished. Manston’s tender bufferbeam has also been cleaned and primed, and the tender locker space has been painted.
35011 With the last of the boiler tube stubs now removed from the boiler of the General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society’s ‘Merchant Navy’, efforts are now focusing on removing rust from inside the firebox and limescale from the interior of the boiler so a proper inspection can be undertaken. Computer-aided design work is also continuing on the new crank axle while stripping down of the frames continues.
35025 Recent work on the ‘Merchant Navy’ at Herston on the Swanage Railway has included finishing and installing the cab end-plates, refurbishing and trial-fitting the injector mounting plate, and also trial-fitting the roof ventilator.
LMS & CONSTITUENTS
45596 Double-chimneyed ‘Jubilee’ Bahamas will be at the Nene Valley Railway on June 5-9 as part of the line’s celebrations of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The Stanier 4-6-0 will be hauling passenger trains on June 5 only and on display at Wansford for the remaining days.
45699 Carnforth-based ‘Jubilee’ Galatea – latterly running as No. 45627 Sierra Leone – hauled its final railtour on March 6 before bowing out for overhaul. The Stanier 4-6-0’s final main line outing was the Railway Touring Company’s Preston-Sheffield-Derby and return ‘Peaks Express’.
46464 The boiler of this Strathspey Railway-based Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 passed its hydraulic test at Northern Steam Engineering in Stockton on March 24 before undergoing a pressure test in mid-April – the first time it has conducted live steam since 1979.
LNER & CONSTITUENTS
2007 The paperwork for certification and approvals for new-build ‘P2’ Prince of
Wales to work railtours over the British main line network when completed has now been sent to the Office of Rail & Road (ORR) for feedback. Meanwhile, physical work also continues on the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s new 2-8-2 ‘Mikado’, with good progress on the cylinder block being made at Howco in Irvine, Scotland.
4498 A ceremony to mark the successful £1 million overhaul of ‘A4’ Sir Nigel Gresley was held at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway – where the LNER ‘Pacific’ has been undergoing running-trials – on April 21. While still in LNER wartime black livery for the moment, BR Express Passenger Blue livery is due to be applied later this year, when the 4-6-2 will also assume its BR number, 60007.
8572 Members of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society have chosen to keep the group’s ‘B12’, No. 8572, in its current LNER green after its overhaul. The poll followed comments from those who disliked the colour on the North Norfolk Railway-based locomotive, so M&GNJRS trustees decided
to put the decision to its members; they voted 551 for LNER green as opposed to 311 for BR Lined Black – although one person did suggest green on one side and black on the other to appease everybody. The engine is currently being dismantled at the NNR’s workshops at Weybourne.
60163 Tornado’s overhaul continues apace at Loughborough on the Great Central Railway, with the new‑build Peppercorn ‘A1’ completely stripped to the frames. Magnetic Particle Inspection is being conducted on all drawgear components, while the tender wheelsets have been sent to South Devon Railway Engineering for re‑tyring. DB Meiningen of Germany has been chosen to supply three turbo generators, one of which will be fitted to Tornado, as part of the installation of ECTS equipment during No. 60163’s overhaul.
61306 The 175th birthday of the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford will be marked by a visit from ‘B1’ ‘Mayflower’ this summer. The June 9 trip will be part of a Steam Dreams tour from Ealing Broadway to Derbyshire, taking in the West Coast Main Line and Midland Main Line as well. “We are delighted our trip coincides with the special 175th anniversary celebrations,” said David Buck, owner of No. 61306. “‘Mayflower’ has not hauled this route in recent history, and to experience the locomotive over this beautiful line will be a magnificent sight.” Ridgemont Station Heritage Centre, on the Marston Vale line, should also be open for visitors when the tour passes through.
BR STANDARD
80072 The Llangollen Standard 4 Group has launched the Standard 4 Club to help raise money for the boiler overhaul of ‘4MT’ No. 80072. Subscription to the club costs a minimum of £10 per month, and will include a periodic newsletter on progress, a free invite to a Standard 4 Trust social event and a 20% discount at the Standard Tank Sales Shop. The group is also launching a tube appeal asking supporters to sponsor various tubes for the boiler; 157 ordinary tubes are needed at £50 each, plus 21 flue tubes at £400 each and 21 superheater tubes at £1,200. More details from paulbaileywincham@yahoo.co.uk
82045 The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust’s new‑build Riddles ‘3MT’ tank has had two of its four coupling rods machined (right), with forging and machining of the final two expected to take place shortly. Additionally, its lubrication pipework has been shaped and connecting fixtures attached. Elsewhere, work continues on the firebox while some of the front footplating has been refitted at Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway.
92240 The Bluebell Railway’s ‘9F’ 2‑10‑0 is expected to move to the line’s Sheffield Park workshops for overhaul in September. It will be the next large locomotive to enter the works. ‘Awake the Giant’ appeal spokesman Andy Taylor said: “Once at Sheffield Park, the locomotive will have scaffolding erected around it and the external sheet cladding removed, along with the old fibreglass insulation. We will also take out the brick arch. This will give us a chance to fully assess the condition of the boiler and will also give a better idea of cost for the work needed. A detailed planning and costing document is currently being worked on for this. We would hope and pray the boiler is still in a reasonable condition.” The appeal is generating around £800 monthly.
WAR DEPARTMENT
75008 Ex‑War Department ‘Austerity’ 0‑6‑0ST Swiftsure is to spend the summer based at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, working alongside ‘Large Prairie’ No. 4144 on loan from Didcot Railway Centre. The nomadic Longmoor Military Railway‑ liveried locomotive is currently based at the Dean Forest Railway, following a previous stint at the Mid‑Norfolk Railway.
INDUSTRIAL
22 The Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0‑6‑0ST (below) has arrived at the Mid‑Norfolk Railway from its Scunthorpe home base to work services throughout the 2022 season. The engine, which carries the crimson livery of the United Steel Company Limited, will operate in rotation with the MNR’s resident ‘4MT’ No. 80078. “I am pleased we could come to an agreement with the Mid‑Norfolk Railway that will put the engine into service on another heritage railway, and the revenue earned will contribute to the society’s ongoing restoration projects,” commented No. 22’s owner Chris Theaker of the Appleby‑Frodingham Railway Preservation Society.