5637 to return "Home"

The Swindon & Cricklade Railway and the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group are pleased to announce that ex-GWR 0-6-2T ‘5637’ will return “home” to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway at the end of March 2020. Both parties have come to an agreement to return the locomotive to Blunsdon following completion of contracted duties at the East Somerset Railway.

5637 will be transported to S&CR immediately following the East Somerset Railway (ESR) Gala Weekend 21/22 March and is also planned to be in steam for the S&CR Gala Weekend 28/29 March 2020. The locomotive’s boiler ticket expires in April this year and the 10-year Heavy General Overhaul will commence at the S&CR with a 2022 targeted completion date.

Allan Bott of the S&CR stated “This is another great acquisition for the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, not only will we have another fantastic Swindon built locomotive on site, it also sees the return of a much-loved locomotive following a twenty-year absence. 5637 is a powerful locomotive that will supplement the steam loco fleet and gives us two ex-GWR locomotives.”

5637 was restored back into working condition at the S&CR between 1982 and 1998. The Swindon & Cricklade Railway are pleased to see her back and look forward to working harmoniously with the 5637 Steam Locomotive Group in the future.

https://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org/
https://5637.co.uk/

 

So is that possibly three taff tanks at the SCR?

 

Here's hoping the move goes better than with 6695... ;-)

 

This is very good news for S&CR. And appropriate given recent chatter here.

I count two. Is 5619 currently based there on long term?

 

I don't recall 6695's last move (wsr - scr) having any issues.

Keith

 

Oh? I wasn't aware of it having left the WSR! I was referring to its journey to the WSR...

 

Yes loan agreement with WSR terminated, and 6695 is now at SCR.

Good news about 5637 returning. Is this going to leave ESR with a bit of a loco shortage? I suppose they still have 46447 for now, and 4110 in a couple of years.

 

I am pretty sure that ESR is due to get 4555 when 5637 comes out of ticket.

 

Yes, 4555 is due to arrive before the Spring Gala.

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

 

5619 is on long term hire for the foreseeable future

 

Thanks, I knew 5619 was there but wasn't sure if it was sticking around.

 

The plan in March is to have a Gala featuring THREE 56xx's which I believe is a first in preservation. Fingers crossed we can pull it off.

 

Sounds good. I never realised 6695 was so close to completion.

Seems odd that WSR would let an almost complete and working loco go, given that they always seem rather short of locos. Perhaps the owning group were not agreeable to negotiating a new (shorter than 25 year) deal.

 

Understand 5637 departed Cranmore for the Swindon and Cricklade today, 25/3/20.

 

That's an interesting move in the current circumstances. It suggests that the engineering departments at both railways are still working at their bases. I understand that most places have more or less shut up shop completely and staff and volunteers sent home. Is this happening on many other railways?

Peter

 

Yes I thought it was strange that it met the necessary journey rules.

 

ESR's engineering department is not currently running, just routine security inspections. 5637 was taken to the loading point on Saturday afternoon which was the ESR's last working day. The haulier has taken the decision to carry on afaik. I can't comment for the S&CR.

Sent from my SM-A530F using Tapatalk

 

The SCR has shut to all members as far as I know. We are not allowed on site for 3 weeks.
I don't think the transport of a locomotive is nessecary during the current crisis. Especially when lines are all shut.

 

As far as I am aware 5637 is not on site at the S&CR as the railway is shut for the time being.