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The GWR Manor Class

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

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  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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  9. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    In the past Manors have also been fairly 'spirited' main line performers.

    Watching us pass the BMW's, Mercs and yes even Jags as Bradley Manor climbed Whiteball wasnt to be missed!
     
    johnofwessex, Sep 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
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  10. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Of the nine that made it into preservation only 7808 came directly from service, all the rest are out of Barry.

    Ironically, originally 7802 wasn’t bought with a working future in mind but as a source of spares, primarily the boiler.

    Happily , it was decided that restoration would take place and 7802 escaped destruction a second time - It was subject to a failed bid to purchase for preservation before going to Barry so 7802 is a bit of a survivor against the odds.
     
    Pete Thornhill, Sep 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
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  11. bristolian

    bristolian Member

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    Who was / were behind the original purchase effort?
     
    bristolian, Sep 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
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  12. Thompson1706

    Thompson1706 Part of the furniture

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    That would probably explain why 7802 was in a shed next to the demolished roundhouse at Shrewsbury months after her sisters left for Barry.

    Bob.
     
    Thompson1706, Sep 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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  13. 1472

    1472 Well-Known Member

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    As a long term member of the owning group the story behind the retention of 7802 at Shrewsbury after its sisters had made what should have been their final journey has always been a bit of a mystery. The rumour re a preservation attempt is not new but has never had substance. The delay in delivering 7802 to Woodhams meant that it was the last GW designed loco to arrive there.

    Currently operational are 7802, 7812, 7827 & 7828
    Under overhaul - 7820, 7822
    Stored/exhibited - 7808, 7819, 7821
     
    1472, Sep 21, 2025 at 7:47 PM
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  14. jamesd

    jamesd Member

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    I’ve travelled behind them all apart from Cookham. I suspect the chances of me getting that in the book are quite slim!

    Is there any talk of steaming Hinton again?
     
    jamesd, Sep 21, 2025 at 8:52 PM
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  15. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    Is Ditcheat still owned by the WSRA?
     
    Mick45305, Sep 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
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  16. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Greenway, Sep 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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  17. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    7819 is in the queue for overhaul hence its presence in the engine house; it will doubtless re-appear some time in the future but when depends on SVR timescales.
     
    Fred Kerr, Sep 22, 2025 at 12:51 AM
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  18. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    How many of the preserved ones are of the post-war batch? In general, as per the thread the combo of right size, right scrapyard, right company[1], all make sense, but I'd also add later build, esp if post war would tip between say a grange and a manor, as it has been less abused in wartime.

    [1]FTAOD, I mean right at the time, Green With Rivets seemed to attract disproportionate interest back then. I neither advance, nor espouse, and view that the undertaking has any primacy in real terms...
     
    Bikermike, Sep 22, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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  19. misspentyouth62

    misspentyouth62 Well-Known Member

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    The final batch of GWR locos moved to Woodham's in 1966 were four Halls (4920, 6984, 6990, 7927) and in the May of that year, Manors 7812, 7819, 7820, 7821, 7822, 7827, 7828. 7802 followed two months later in July 1966 and was indeed the last GW engine to arrive.
     
    misspentyouth62, Sep 22, 2025 at 9:29 AM
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  20. Mick45305

    Mick45305 Member

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    Five are post-war, starting from 7820.
     
    Mick45305, Sep 22, 2025 at 12:05 PM
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