Britannia tested ahead of main line return

THE return to main line traffic following overhaul of BR Pacific No. 70000 Britannia has been aided by the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) after the 4-6-2 was tested on the heritage line in late January and mid-February. Arriving by road at Kidderminster with a Mk.1 support coach following overhaul at Locomotive Services Ltd (LSL) in Crewe on January 24, No. 70000 and its tender were reunited the following day. Three days of light engine testing began on January 26. Loaded testing took place between January 1 and February 4 using ex-Caledonian Sleeper and ex-GWR HST Mk.3 carriages from the LSL fleet, which are currently being stored on the

SVR – plus the support coach, which acted as the brake vehicle. The loaded test trains were operated by LSL staff who were also competent on the SVR route.

Mileage

Approximately 380 loaded test miles were completed, as well as around 200 light engine miles the week before. On February 5, Britannia supported the SVR with filming work for BBC television’s Match of the Day Live programme in connection with the FA Cup game at Kidderminster Harriers v West Ham. No. 70000 returned to Crewe under its own steam with its support coach on February 16. The following day, it successfully completed a loaded test run from Crewe to Shrewsbury via Chester and then back to Crewe via the West Coast Main Line. Prior to entering the operational pool, Britannia is to be repainted in lined BR Brunswick Green.

JOHN TITLOW Proving to railway modellers that there is a prototype for everything, No. 70000 Britannia hauls a train of ex-Caledonian Sleeper Mk.3s and blood and custard Mk.1s past Bewdley South signalbox on February 2, as it heads to Kidderminster as part of the recommissioning of the 4-6-2 for main line service.