76077

I thought I would resurrect this topic, as 35006 is now running (and has been for a few months), and so I was wondering if anyone had heard of any progress on 76077! The suggestion has always been that the plan was for the P&O group to help out with 76077 once P&O was done, there was a good article in one of the magazines about a year ago which suggested there was a future for it. Has anyone heard more?

 

I believe the board agreed the terms of its restoration around the time of that article (thought it was early this year rather than last, but whatever), so in theory, it can start whenever they're ready.

Either way, work has not yet started as far as I'm aware, and it hasn't moved from the headshunt. That said, P&O isn't technically finished yet, I believe the idea is for the last few bits to be done this winter (some of the electrics IIRC). So maybe some movement then, but then of course there's also all the Broadway canopy stuff being done at Toddington at the moment too, along with plenty of other stuff.

 

There is some news about the restoration of 76077 as part of the Steam Loco blog for Sunday 31st December 2017 - Cinderella will finally go to the ball.

I won't repeat what is said in the blog, but the link to it is here: http://gwsrsteamloco.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/cinderella-will-finally-go-to-ball.html .It says in the blog that further details will be in the next issue of The Cornishman, with contact details etc. Vey good news!

 

Great news!

Keith

 

Fantastic! Great locomotives.


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Absolutely! Never a Western Region type, these locos have nevertheless always impressed me in preservation (I never saw one in BR days) and I'm absolutely delighted that the moniker of "Linear Scrapyard" can now be erased from the north siding at Toddington! I was beginning to think that this virtually brand new loco (compared to some!) even without a tender, would be scrapped or parted out for spares but it will hopefully be fully restored in time for me to see it.

 

Fantastic news ..... plus, what an eloquent and well presented blog. It was a pleasure to read. Thanks for posting it @Gloucester Boy

 

Had anyone ever attempted to buy this locomotive during it's years sat in the siding?

 

Not to my knowledge although I thought that it would be great if I could! 76077 is shown here at Toddington shortly after arrival in May 1987. (I've posted this image on another thread somewhere so apologies if you've already seen it.) The tender had long gone and the loco has been partially stripped. However, as I was informed some time ago, there are many items for 76077 waiting to be attached.

 

Glad it is finally getting some attention, I'm a fan of the Std 4 moguls.

 

Wasn't it once owned by the P&O group (or someone associated with) but sold later to raise funds? Hence the idea that they'd do 76077 once they'd finished their "main" engine as was.

 

76077 was the loco chosen to haul the LCGB (North West Branch) Warrington & Widnes Brake Van railtour on 5 August 1967. I wonder if any forum readers were on that railtour? 76077 was withdrawn from Wigan Springs Branch (10A) on 31 December the same year. Hopefully it won't be too long before it's running again!
https://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/ht1967.html

 

I think the term, "someone associated with.." is the best description, afaik the P&O Loco Group has only owned 35006.

 

I was informed by a trusted source about a dozen years ago a change of ownership was imminent and the new owner(s) had a connection to 80136. Clearly we were mistaken! Hope a prosperous future beckons, great class of loco.

 

Why was the locomotive taken apart in the first place and then left. ? Was there the intention to restore it then and it just ground to a halt ? I too like these locos, once had a go at motorising the Airfix oo gauge kit of one and liked them ever since.

 

The restoration of 76077 is something I thought would never happen (Like 34010 Sidmouth, at the Swanage). I wish the GWSR the best of luck with their 4MT!

 

There was talk of using the chassis for the basis of a 77xxx 3MT at one point, as the chassis itself was the same as the 76xxx. (I think that a boiler off some GW Prairie class was also to be used). I do find it interesting, though, that the driving wheels were a different pattern to those used on the 76xxx - they had a different number of spokes. Was that down to Swindon wanting to put more of their 'stamp' on the design?

There's only the 77xxx missing from the BR Standard classes, of course, with the 82045 gang making steady progress, and the Bluebell working on making an 84xxx out of a 78xxx

 

That's right and, despite being a member of the 77xxx group, I cannot contact anyone to find out anything about it for over 18 months!

 

Personally, I am glad it wasn't converted in to a 77xxx. The 76xxx is a much better looking loco IMHO.