SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions

Just copying over a couple of updates from the 2857 society on the current status and future plans for the loco, for those who don't do Facebook. Link here for those that do: Facebook

Update Part 1 - Current Status.
Over the last few months 2 working parties have occurred on the loco, with various jobs being completed. These include - Stripping the smokebox of its contents, cleaning and protective painting the inside of the smokebox, Burning the small tubes away at the firebox end of the boiler, making a start to collapsing the small tubes in the smokebox end, Splitting the loco and tender for the EMF tender hire, removing the fall plate, and removal of the cab floor.
***Note - All the work has been managed in co-ordination with the Severn Valley Railway, and has been carried out by Society Volunteers. This work by no means indicates that an overhaul has commenced on 2857 but it does mean that we can put the locomotive in a better place for when the overhaul does start***
We would like to thank the Severn Valley Railway for being very accommodating with us, allowing us to carry out this work, and providing excellent help and advice along the way.
The work being carried out on the boiler/Smokebox is to allow us to have a boiler inspector visit, and carry out their best possible inspection on the boiler without removing it from the frames. This work will be carried on at our next working party, with the aim to remove all the small tubes, and make a start on the flue tubes too.
The work on the cab floor, was done in co-ordination with the tender split. This work will allow us to give the floor area a good clean, undercoat, and holding coat of paint to protect the metal work. The Fall Plate was also removed at the same time, as this had become life expired so will need replacing at overhaul stage.

Update Part 2 - Looking to the Future
Following on from our AGM on Saturday 12th October, we are happy to bring our followers our plans and visions for the future years to come.
Firstly, we held a very successful meeting with the Severn Valley Railway in late September. At this meeting both parties were able to come up with a clear plan as to how an overhaul could be carried out and the timescales surrounding that overhaul. Although we cannot tell you the proposed date at this time, what we can say is that between the Society and SVR an aspirational/proposed date was agreed for work to commence. Our next stage is to meet with the SVR on a more regular basis, to begin forming a solid plan for both organisations to move forward with together.
Part of the above agreement is that the 2857 Society will commit to contracting out a full ‘Bottom End Overhaul’ on the locomotive. Our focus now is on obtaining quotes, from at least 4 contractors, and then reviewing those. We will then meet with the SVR to discuss the best choice, and move forward from that point. We are aware that we will need to begin a large fundraising scheme, and overhaul appeal, and details of this will be emerging in the New Year.
In terms of our Society Visions the Trustees have outlined a number of anniversaries in the 2030’s decade, that they wish the locomotive to be in traffic to celebrate. These included the 60th Anniversary of the formation of the original ‘28xx Society’, the 70th Anniversary of its withdrawal from BR service, and 50 years since it hauled the last unfitted steam hauled goods on Britain’s mainline network. The latter ties in with what will be GWR 200, and anniversary we feel it vital to have our 28xx in traffic for.
The overriding message at our AGM was, we are moving forward positively, and as fast as is reasonable to do so.
We are thankful to the SVR for the positive meetings, helpful advice, and for allowing our volunteers to work on the locomotive during our working parties.

 

I noticed that latest issue of Trackside reported 71000 coming around Christmas for test running purposes.

 

From the latest newsletter, the Erlestoke Manor Fund have agreed to hire 7812 to the WSR from May 2025 until the end of 2027 (it will be back at the SVR through this winter and the 2025 Spring Gala). 7802 is planned to remain at the SVR after returning to service.

 

A quick plug for the 2857 society's brand new website, featuring up to date news on the loco, information on our current fundraising activities, online shop and a shareholding page where you can purchase shares in the society. Shareholders receive a copy of 28 Lines, the Society’s illustrated newsletter magazine, twice a year.
Shareholding – The 2857 Society

Active groups have never been more essential in getting locos returned to traffic, so please do consider joining.

 

Just for info, Malwarebytes gives a warning.

 

Thanks for the heads up. The site has moved SSL certificate provider so will go fix.

 

75069 and 4930 in use on the festive service this week (7714 has had brick arch issues).

 

6880 doing the steam turn 22nd-24th and 26th/27th April.

 

Then due back at Gwsr for its first annual boiler exams.... been running nearly one year already! how time flies!

 

Great achievement by the Erlestoke Manor Fund to have both their manors double heading on the valley today, likely the last time for a while, with 7812 off to Somerset for an extended loan.

 

What was the loco under tarpauline in the carriage works yard at Kidderminster today? Where is it heading?

 

2857. It’s not heading anywhere. It’s being worked on by the owning group every 2/3 weeks to keep stripping bits off the back head, etc. Tarp is just to keep the cladding/lagging protected

 

Ah fair enough, very pleased to hear it's not going anywhere and good to hear of progress!