GWSR... GWR 2-8-0 stronghold.

The latest news from my 2807 colleagues at Toddington is that more progress is being made towards steam testing very soon. On Saturday, the brick arch was fitted into the firebox, a long and potentially risky job which requires a safety person present and various meters to warn against possible fumes (the boiler has already been steam tested satisfactorily). Also lots of painting bits and pieces and snagging minor things that must be done before 2807 starts its testing. I don't like foretelling the future as regards these beasts but I'm hopeful that we shall see 2807 on "Santa Specials" if not before!
The photo shows No 3845 at Toddington in its post-Barry condition in June 2010, complete with vegetation! The boiler saddle is of a different pattern to our 2807 and the cab is of course, the main difference. I don't know where 3845 is at the moment but it is in storage somewhere! Hopefully, I'll have some exciting news on 2807 very soon.

 

All the more remarkable when contrasted with Churchward's passenger classes using the No.1 boiler. No Saints survived into preservation (hence Didcot reconstructing one), and only one of the slightly later Stars.

 

A few videos on the Cotswold Steam Preservation Facebook group this evening showing 2807 on the move today under its own steam for the first time since January 2020.

A few photos here: https://gwr2807.blogspot.com/2023/09/she-moves.html?m=1

 

After a great deal of effort, not to mention funds, (!) 2807 passed her initial running test yesterday evening (see also post 63 above) which coincided with a heavy rain shower! Unfortunately I wasn't able to witness it but I understand that everything went well. The day started before 0830 with preparing the loco and the team then worked on minor adjustments and giving 2807 a bit of a clean up before waiting for the service trains to cease and a test crew to become free to give 2807 its first run since 1 January 2020. I'll quote our media chap next, "At this point, I will just give a big thank you to Mike & Ash for being the test crew. And also to the whole team, who deserve tremendous applause for achieving a fantastic result – it’s like winning the lottery the first time you had a go! 2807 performed brilliantly. She moved so smoothly and quiet as a mouse." Blooming marvellous!

 

Work proceeds on 2807's final preparations for returning to service. More testing is ongoing and the locomotive has now been deemed ready for its "B" exam, which is fitness to run. It will probably start with a light engine run from Toddington and Winchcombe and back once all paperwork is signed and the Loco Dept are happy etc. One example of the minor, but important work, being done is the modification of the front section of the valve rod casing. Later GWR 2884s had this fitting from new. The external differences are 2 small oil pots that feed oil to the front section of the valve rod casing to prevent wear. October is looking good!

 

2807 was on shed today, radiating warmth after yesterday.


The Spirit of Steam !

 

Further update on the 2807 blog, including new GWR shirt button logo livery and possible return to service in time for the GWSR end of season gala at the end of the month, subject to the usual caveats about final testing...
https://gwr2807.blogspot.com/2023/10/gwsr-press-release-today-12-10-2023.html?m=1

 

2807's owning group will be holding their AGM tomorrow, Saturday, at Winchcombe Station. Unfortunately I'm unable to attend. Originally, it was hoped that 2807 would be in service by now but, as most readers of this website know, it's ready when it's ready! 2807 is undergoing checks and tests by the GWSR loco department and it's planned to have the loco in service by the time of the GWSR's Autumn Showcase event at the end of this month.
The borrowed tender has been completed and finished in the 1930s unlined green livery which the locomotive carried after overhaul and the fitting of outside steam pipes. Historically this is therefore the oldest GWR livery that it can carry in its current condition (if you overlook the BR-type buffers fitted by 1959!). Looks good anyway. Photo attached.

 

2807 out on test between Toddington and Winchcombe today. (photos via our loco group Secretary.)

 

2807's loaded test run at Hayles Abbey earlier today, double-headed with 35006 'P&O'.

 

I was hopeful that this would happen today (although I wasn't able to witness it) and the GWSR Loco Department staff were clearly happy enough with the loco for it to double-head a service train. Excellent news and thank you for posting the video.

 

2807 surprised us at Winchcombe today.
Looked very steam tight and in fine fettle.

 

From today's GWSR operations with 2807, the GWSR Loco Department has advised:
"2807 passed for traffic. Following the loaded test run on 21st of October and review of the paperwork I have no hesitation in advising 2807 is fit for entry into traffic at the GWSR Mixed Traffic gala next weekend."
Fingers crossed then, as ever with these steam locos!

 

Due to be on display on Saturday and running on Sunday
https://gwr2807.blogspot.com/2023/10/2807-completes-loaded-test-runs-and-is.html?m=1

 

2807 back in traffic on Sunday 29 Oct on its first service train since 1 Jan 2020. (photo: J Mayell). Taken at Toddington. I've been informed that the loco runs very sweetly!

 

https://flic.kr/p/2pczbac

2807 at Broadway just after sunset on Sunday evening.

 

What is striking is how bright the replica lamps under the canopy are. We followed the original spacing (alternate trusses) and someone said there were not enough of them

 

I took a snapshot of 2807 too, but in daylight.



Just as I was going to press the button the driver shut off steam (dang!) but then he saw me, and I had the distinct impression he opened the regulator again, just for the picture.
Well, it was certainly worth it.

I heard in the mess room that it rode very well, better than before. Looks like a very successful overhaul.

 

2807 in daylight at Broadway.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16582147@N07/53298734959

 

PETER NICHOLSON 1948-2023
It was with sadness that I learned of the death of railway enthusiast and publisher Peter Nicholson, who died on 30 October, one day after 2807 returned to operational service on the GWSR. Peter was, to many, the "saviour" of several Barry Scrapyard locomotives and it was he who led the project to rescue 2807 from the yard in 1980, the loco arriving at Toddington in 1981. Originally living in Cheltenham, Peter later moved to Burnham on Sea. I'd like to think that the photo at post 78 above is a fitting tribute to his view that as many ex-Barry locos as possible should be rescued for future preservation. Nearly all the steam loco fleet at the GWSR are ex-Barry and that is the case on many heritage lines in the UK. I for one, will be eternally grateful to Peter for getting me "hooked" on steam locomotives, particularly 2807.

I have copied the following from the WSR Diesel & Electric Group website: "Peter was a frequent visitor to all heritage railways in the course of his reporting work, but he had a soft spot for the WSR, perhaps because he lived nearby in Burnham-On-Sea and perhaps because it was the closest heritage railway where he could take his grandson, Josh Brinsford, to ‘teach him the ropes’. The pair have been a regular feature on the WSR for many years and young Josh has become established as a photographer in his own right. A search on wsr.org.uk revealed 576 of Peter’s photos and 750 of more recent images captured by Josh !"

RIP Peter.