GWR No. 2807

There still looks to be a lot of time consuming things to finish before this will be properly completed and ready to test - and it is due to appear in steam at the GWSR GW 175 Gala in 16 days time - is it going to make it????

 

That's a perfectly reasonable question.

The fact is that at the moment there's nothing that we're aware of that would make us say we won't be there. The final steam test is on Tuesday (18th), followed by some intensive testing. The transport to Toddington is booked for Tuesday 25th, which is in time for the start of the gala.

What nobody knows is what we're going to find when the testing starts. There are lots of new parts on the loco and any one of them may not work properly. It's unpredictable, that's the nature of testing.

What I can say though is that the Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd restoration team and the Llangollen Engineering team are pulling out all of the stops, includng working weekends, to give 2807 the best possible chance of being there.

The CSPL team have put in a total of 152 man days working at Llangollen this year alone. Given that llangollen is 120 miles from our base and we're all volunteers that's not bad. And the Llangollen team have worked many extra hours over and above their normal working day.

All I can say is that if 2807 isn't at the gala, it won't be for want of trying. But we remain confident that you will see 2807 at the gala.

Cotswold Steam

 

It is amazing to see the timescale of "days" actually appear on an electronic page with the number 2807! I have been used to timescales of years since I joined Cotswold Steam Preservation in 1982! I know that people are doing all they can, and have been doing so for months, to make it happen so it really won't be for the lack of trying. I remain patient and scarily excited to the point of being in a "permission to shout hurrah in a very loud annoying voice Sir" kind of way. Just a little longer now and we will be there.

 

Its great to see that 2807 has passed its final steam test this week. Well done lads !
http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/c1844677.html

David

 

Great that 2807 has passed its final steam test. Will it be ready for the GWSR gala though?

 

Good & congratulations on passing the steam test!

Assuming we are using the usual terminology this means that the boiler is now OK & insured for use.

It does not however include comment on whether the loco can yet move under its own power & just as importantly stop as well - presumably these tests have yet to take place?

 

Sad news:
GWR 28xx No:2807 has been withdrawn from the line up for the GWR 175 gala on May 29- June 6th.
This is because of leaks found during static testing 19/20th May. Because this delayed test running and therefore it was decided that 2807 would not be transported to Toddington until the restorers were confident that testing was sucessful.
If you want any more infomation click on the link - http://rasdv.web.officelive.com/LatestNews.aspx

 

I think your question has been answered. Clearly to run a steam locomotive which has not run since 1963 and was in a, how should we say, somewhat reduced condition, was always going to be a big ask when up against a tight deadline. However, I know it wasn't for the lack of trying. 2807 is almost there but it won't be released to service until its ready and until the restoration team and Llangollen staff are happy to do so. Its really close now and I believe that the glitches are being tackled (nothing new or surprising I believe) but patience is still the watchword. You can imagine my disappointment but its nothing new to steam or diesel heritage loco fans and,as one who even had the temerity to show a photo taken of 2807 in steam at Llangollen last week to a guest that I was sat next to at an RAF mess dinner last friday night! (Well he was an engineer and you have to spread the word dont you!) Its a shame 2807 won't make the "Ball" but it will make the "Season."

 

Please follow the link below for the official announcement. The announcement couldn't be made public before because we had to tell our supporters first. But now that it has been leaked ...

http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/news.htm

Note that there will be an official launch of no. 2807 at Toddington in the near future.

Cotswold Steam

 

Great to see Well done to all those involved

Lewis

 

PERMISSION TO USE YOUR MORALE BOOSTING PHOTO AS MY AVATAR SIR?!

 

Many thanks indeed!

 

And here is the official version.

The news update and a link to photos can be found at
http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/news.htm

No. 2807 ran 20 miles of test running on Friday 4 June.

Cotswold Steam

 

OK, so the big day has finally arrived. I'm sure there will be much more still to do but, as one who has followed the fortunes of this loco very closely since 1982, I think I can say:

JUST REJOICE AT THAT NEWS!

 

There are some pictures here of 2807 double-heading a service train with 6430 on 1st July. Well done, chaps!!

 

Looks like the running in is going OK. Fantastic stuff!

 

Great!
Looks like the testing is going well.
RASDV
(GWSR member, Friend of GWR 2807

 

finally, the heavy weight champion of the world, back in steam at last