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The GWR Manor Class

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Big Al, Sep 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM.

  1. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    I had a run yesterday at the SVR gala behind 7802 Bradley Manor and it got me thinking about the number of Manors that have been preserved.

    Despite the fact that there were only 30 in the class, seven are active around the country plus, I think, a couple more on static display.

    There are occasional mutterings about Bulleids and the fact that quite a few of the 30 Merchants are still around, but only four of these are operational. So is this the class of which the greatest proportion are still running? And why the Manors?
     
    Big Al, Sep 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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  2. mikehartuk

    mikehartuk New Member

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    Beaten total number preserved by ten Terriers I think it is (including one abroad)? Four, supposed to be five, I believe working - so second in class there. Mike.
     
    mikehartuk, Sep 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
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  3. Jimc

    Jimc Part of the furniture

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    Well the reason why there are a lot of Manors is because Dai Woodham bought lots of them, and curiously no Granges. But I think the reason so many are in steam is because they are simply a handy size for the average preserved line. At Br Class 5 with 18 x 30 cylinders they've got enough oomph for practically any 25mph heritage line train, and with a 22 sq foot grate they don't consume coal in the way the 38sqft grate on a light pacific would. Plus they have reasonably low axle loading. And being green with names supposedly goes down well with the general public.
     
    Jimc, Sep 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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  4. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Al. maybe it's that Manor's are just a tad smaller than big "chuffers". :D
     
    Greenway, Sep 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
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  5. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

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    They're just a good size for heritage lines and, as Jimc says, look at home on them. They do well on them.
     
    LMS2968, Sep 20, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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  6. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    My question was to do with how some locos ended up with a higher proportion preserved than others. 'Big chuffers' might look good but on a heritage line are hungry and thirsty machines and hardly need the oomph they have. Witness 35006 playing with 7 coaches on the SVR this weekend.

    I like the Manors. They look good - pretty even - and seem to do the job that is asked of them. I didn't realise that many ended up in the same scrapyard - i.e. Woodhams - where they stood a chance of surviving. Maybe it's as simple as that.
     
    Big Al, Sep 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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  7. LMS2968

    LMS2968 Part of the furniture

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    Yes, you've provided your own answer. Probably the majority of working engines on both preserved and main lines owe their existence to Dai Woodham. And basically, what he had is what you got; there weren't any alternatives. And he had a lot of Manors and Bulleid Pacifics, but very few (one) LNER type. That's how it goes.
     
    LMS2968, Sep 20, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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  8. Robin

    Robin Well-Known Member Friend

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    The BR Standard Class 8 has 100% of the class still running. :)
     
    Robin, Sep 20, 2025 at 8:59 PM
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