GWR No. 2807

It is, but this is the statement I was referring to:

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Would I be right in thinking the 4th and 5th GWR standard gauge built loco's are also national collection loco's?

2818 and 4003 Lode Star (1905 & 1907)

Quite a thing if so, sounds little bit more impressive - only privately owned loco in earliest five GWR loco's.

A nice gathering that would be...

 

Yes, 2818 was built in October/November 1905, whilst 2807 was built in October 1905. I imagine the 2 locomotives' birthdays are really quite close! Unlike 2807, which was progressively "modernised" over the years, 2818 was chosen for preservation by the Nation because of its straight front "drop ends" and inside steam pipes. Most 28xxs had outside steampipes fitted (not all of course) and also received curved drop ends. The cylinders were often replaced or rebored at the same time. As 2807 received its outside steampipes later in the 1930s the earliest livery it could authentically now wear is the later 1930s unlined green with the Art Deco "shirt button" GWR badge on the tender. However, I have always felt that the 28xxs looked quite good in BR or GWR wartime black too (like 3822 at Didcot), unlike some other GWR types. By the time we got to 2807 of course it was decidedly a "rust colour!" It looks much better now and will look even better soon so get yer wallets out!

 

2807 was one of the first batch of production 28xxs from Swindon. As for colour what debates people will have on here!!! Can't wait!!
Nice to know that it will be green. Have spent the last few weeks needle gunning the tender and starting to get the bass layers down before the tender is hopefully moved to the C & W department for finishing this winter

 

Malachite, every time.

 

Ahem, if the maroon and malachite brigade could calm down a minute let's get back on the subject of progress! My fault I suppose for mentioning the "L" word! 2807's boiler has now been retubed (not all tubes expanded in yet) and the superheater header is being prepared for fitting. Small items continue to have to be fettled too including whistle chain guides (which are new) and the missing lamp-iron bracket on 2807's tender has now been fitted as well. New fire bars have been delivered and things continue to move on at both Llangollen and Toddington with the return to steam of this very special locomotive, which probably didn't warrant a second glance from a railway spotter on the GWR network in 1939 or 1949!

 

Restoration Progress.

As of the end of September, half of the tubes need to be expanded into the firebox tubeplate, then the tube fitting is complete. Next major job is the hydraulic test which is due in the next few weeks. The superheater header also needs another hydraulic test - it was tested befor machining, but needs to be tested again now that it is machined.

 

Latest Progress

The latest progress report can be found at
http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/restored.htm

 

Cotswold Steam, thanks for the link; it gives a very useful update of progress. Indeed, there has been so much progress that I'm having difficulty keeping up! I remember once painting various bits of 2807 at Toddington and then coming back a month later and painting a few more and not even knowing what half of them were. How times have changed thank goodness!

 

October Progress

The restoration progress page has been updated with progress for October.

The boiler tubes are all fitted, the boiler is being filled with water and leaks caulked.

Follow this link to the progress page:
http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/restored.htm

 

Excellent stuff. Having spent most of its time down at Toddington acting as a store for aluminium cans and other items for recycling, its good to see 2807's boiler actually holding water again! Now for the steam test I should imagine! Also good to see lots of little items (like lubricating pots etc) going back on and everything being prepared for the loco to come back to life again.

Forget dreaming about a 47xx, put yer dosh in this one!

 

''Forget dreaming about a 47xx, put yer dosh in this one!''

I agree!

Whats the state of play on the tender front? what was/is the big issue with it, are the frames out of alignement or something? Have they came up with a solution to be able to get 2807 running in 2010 on the GWR

 

I don't know, is the short answer, but, as you can see from the 2807 photo website, progress is being made on the boiler, loco frames and tender. I hope to attend the 2807 AGM at Winchcombe later this month and I'm sure we'll get an update then. I may even get to have a look around the tender. The boiler and the rest of 2807 are at Llangollen of course.

 

Update

Latest news is that the machined superheater header has passed its hydraulic test, the vacuum system passed its first test using the test rig at Llangollen, and the last few boiler leaks are being dealt with in preparation for its hydraulic test.

 

Thanks for the update regarding 2807 at Llangollen. I'm particularly pleased to read that the superheater header has passed its hydraulic test - I fell over the thing often enough when it was in our storage wagon at Toddington!

 

How weird of a feeling must it be for you chaps that worked on 2807 all these years (in rain, snow etc!) to see it going through its final stages, with steam and all sorts lol

Your going to have no rusty haulk parts to work on anymore outside in the rain, what you gona do with yourselfs?!!! haha

Hhaha seriously I know its all about maintaining it then (and maybe re-commision the siphon for use!) but must seem weird not having horrible big rusty bits, re-fabricating stuff etc, you'll be in a dry david page shed for maint work, over pits etc good times ahead!

I take me hat of to all involved on 2807! (and thats coming from a hardened Diesel fan!)

ps will you active members be looking at Owsden Hall thinking, hmmm that could do with some extra hands now... or is it clean hands from now on hahah

 

2859 is possibly available and has one of the much better No 1 boilers. Now that we've done one, another would be easy....!

2807 will need new driving wheel tyres when it gets its next overhaul.

The 1945-built syphon will hopefully be refurbished to run in traffic on the GWR.

Clearly, most of the people who were involved with 2807 today from an active working perspective were not involved when the locomotive was purchased from Barry in 1980 and I owned a Mk 3 Capri (!) However, some stalwarts are still around and a few are still actively involved. It is only distance really that prevents me from still helping out.

Good times ahead? Definitely. Expensive hobby? Definitely! Is it worth it? Let's get 2807 steaming and I'll tell you! However, there are plenty of loco groups with their working steeds who would doubtless say, yes, it's worth it.

 

It ain't finished until its finished - and even when the tested boiler goes on the frames there is still absolutely loads to do to finish one - especially when it is a "new" restoration.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's nearly finished just yet!

 

1472

Yes, I am well aware of that. I joined Cotswold Steam Preservation in 1982........and we thought that 2807 could steam by 1990.