SR S15 (30)825

825's overhaul and running in are now complete and the loco has entered traffic today, hauling its first train in 6 years, resplendent in SR olive green livery. Congratulations to the Essex Loco Society and the Grosmont shed staff for another immaculate production. It hasn't regained its Whitby-capable status yet, that will probably come next spring. Before anyone asks, I don't think that there has been any decision yet about what to do with the remains of 841/830!

 

Looking forward to see it run at the steam gala hopefully double heads with Repton?

 

Roster on NYMR gala thread and yes.

 

After a few days of adhesion issues ,825 was allowed out alone this afternoon and had a superb run from Levisham to Goathland ,plenty of noise ,action and no slipping .

 

Total tongue in cheek, but is there enough metalwork to consider creaing another King Arthur .

 

I believe the S15 boilers at Ropley are originally from KAs. I couldn't find the boiler from 830 kicking around the yard or sidings at Grosmont but the forlorn remains of frames and cab were parked just outside of Grosmont in the line with the diesels. I was told that the frames from 841 were not visible from the railway and were in a farmer's field?

 

30830s boiler is being worked on .841 frames are in the vicinity of 830 ,in the undergrowth /field so hidden by 830 or DMU.

 

Yikes, that one has been suggested a few times on this website!! I think it requires new frames and driving wheels as a minimum...

 

More a case of on the embankment next to the siding above the field. I walked round to the field in 2014 and the frame of 841 was just visible although heavily overgrown. The cab of Dame Vera Lynn can be seen behind.



This shot of the siding at the time shows the back of 830 and its position relative to Dame Vera Lynn / 841.

 

Thanks for sharing Robin

 

I would imagine that if 30830 were to be restored as a runner the NYMR would prefer it as an S15, a type which has prove itself well suited to the NYMR. If it is true that the boiler from 30830 is being worked on I think that in the first instance it will be to provide a spare for 825 when it next needs one, but I for one hope that 30830's chassis does eventually get restored.

 

My understanding was (not entirely sure where I heard this but it rings a bell) that when 830 was bought by 825's owners from the Maunsell Group at the Bluebell, one of the conditions was that it WOULD run in its own right again, not simply become a source of donor parts to keep 825 in action. Perhaps now 825 is a runner attention will focus on getting 830 in traffic?

Also, what is the issue with 841? I have a memory of hearing something is so drastically wrong with it there is basically no chance of it running again

 

841 ran many miles on the NYMR before it was rebuilt with 825's frames, so there can't have been that much wrong with its frames, but the reason for the swap was that they were said to be badly bent. 830 was primarily bought for its boiler, I think, but I agree that it was said at the time it would be restored. Whether, with the passage of time and people that is legally enforceable I guess must be open to question, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

Wasn’t that option seriously considered by the Maunsell loco society when they owned it?

 

I seem to remember that it even had a mainline stint as Greene King.
Ray.

 

Yep and ran for several years on the NVR too.

 

I would have thought given that the Urie society have repaired frames on both their S15's and in the case of 499 nearly 50% is new material, that 841's frames are repairable. Even in the worst case scenario that the existing frame plates were uneconomic to repair, a new set could be laser cut relatively cheaply and the existing stretchers, cylinders and castings reused on the new frames.

 

I don't suppose that you are going to stump up the money to pay for all this. Of course all that you mention is possible but that does not mean that the owners can afford to do it right now. They may want to catch their breath after the effort of getting 825 back into service before embarking on another endeavor just yet.

Peter

 

You'd need to ask the Urie group if they'd be willing to sell a boiler to make the project viable.

Keith

 

Yes 841‘s frames could be repaired. However the Essex Locomotive only have two boilers to go with their three sets of S15 frames. So they will only ever be able to restore two complete locos. It therefore would make no sense to spend money repairing 841s frames, when the better ones from 825 and 830 can be used instead.