Overhauls, restorations and running notes
GWR & CONSTITUENTS
2807 After the completion of its three-year overhaul by its Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited owners, the Churchward ‘28XX’ (right) made its first substantial trial light engine trips on October 17, undertaking four runs between Toddington and Winchcombe on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. These being successful, it returned to revenue-earning service at the GWSR’s Autumn Showcase event at the end of October, substituting for Foremarke Hall. The 1905-built 2 ‐ 8‐0 is now the oldest GWR-built locomotive in working order.
4150 Recent work on the ‘Large Prairie’, currently being restored at the Severn Valley Railway, has involved the painstaking task of fitting hundreds of small rivets to the side tanks. Pressure-testing has also been carried out on the superheater header, along with work on the copper steam pipes and the preparation of the regulator box for testing.
4566 Having taken on charity status earlier this year, the 4566 Preservation Group, aiming to overhaul its ‘45XX’, has entered into a collaboration with Kidderminster company AG Recycling whereby proceeds from scrap metal dropped off at the firm’s premises can be directly paid to the group. In addition, bins to collect cans have been set up at Kidderminster Town on the Severn Valley Railway, the line where 4566 is currently based. These will also provide fundraising contributions for the rebuild of the ‘Small Prairie’. The group aims to raise £500,000, with a website through which donations can be made at www.4566.org.uk
5164 This year’s Warley Model Railway Club Show, one of the main events of the UK model railway calendar, will feature the display of a somewhat larger-than-usual model. The Erlestoke Manor Fund’s ‘5101’ will go on display at the Birmingham NEC during the November 25/26 gathering, departing its present Barrow Hill home on November 20. Following its star appearance, the ‘Large Prairie’ will be transported to Tyseley Locomotive Works for storage, where an assessment will be made of its condition, and items and materials required for its eventual overhaul acquired.
5199 The ‘Large Prairie’ left the West Somerset Railway during mid-October, bound for the Battlefield Line in Leicestershire. There, the 2 ‐ 6‐2T will serve as the main locomotive for the railway’s Santa Specials over the Christmas period, after which its ten-year overhaul will be due.
7820 Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd’s eponymous ‘Manor’ has had its boiler ticket extended until January 2025, following a boiler inspection. Initially withdrawn from traffic in late September in anticipation of a potential overhaul, the Collett 4 ‐ 6‐0 returned to service on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway on October 24.
9466 The ‘94XX’ made its final appearance for the year
