New Saddle Tank for GWR 813

The 813 Fund Trustees have agreed to the quote from Boston Lodge/SVR for the a new saddle tank to be fabricated.
The quote is £33,000 plus. An appeal will be launched for donations towards the cost of the new tank.

thanks

Nick
GWR 813 Fund Trustee

 

Wow. That sounds expensive. Are you going for riveted or welded as the existing appears to be flush riveted and welding would look the same, if it is. We paid £7,500 for an admittedly smaller (700gal) welded standard gauge tank three years ago with us fitting the existing handrails, filler, footsteps and cutting the balance pipe and injector orifices, which weren't big jobs.

 

Was the drag box job ever finished.? There was a crowdfunding, or something, appeal for that but it didn't seem to get off the ground. 304 stainless is good for tanks. Stick any rivets on with epoxy glue. Nobody will know.

 

Yes, it was finished.

 

Hello,
The drag box has been fitted. The locomotive was reassembled and the tank was filled with water for a steam test. The fillers and patches on the 123 year old tank failed. So the decision was taken to get a replacement tank. The replacement was organised thru SVR/Boston Lodge. I understand that the tank has a number of internal components and is a complicated job. There has been a CAD and drawing produced which shows the tank is to be welded. BL will replace all the components and repaint the tank. The Trustees could have shopped around seeking other quotes.I think this would have delayed the new tank being fabricated. The Trustees would like to see the locomotive back in steam asap earning some money. We are fortunate that the boiler/tubes are good for another ten years. At the same time The Fund is reconstructing a BRW Cattle Wagon, then a GWR Cattle Wagon plus other interesting wagons.


thanks

Nick

 

GWR 813's new saddle tank has taken a few steps forward. The steel has been delivered and work on fabricating the tank has started.
The tank is being fabricated by the tabbed sheet system.
Many Thanks to Paul Lewin and all the staff at Boston Lodge.
The GWR 813 Preservation Fund Trustees.

 

Many Thanks to Paul Lewin and staff at Boston Lodge:
GWR 813's new saddle tank progress

 

Go on then, what's the "tabbed sheet system" ? Which grade of steel is being used?

 

Sheet metal fabrications can be designed with tabs on one sheet fitting into slots on another, helping to fit and hold them in position before welding.

 

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/locomotive-gwr-813s-replacement-saddle-tank


The Trustees are seeking £20,000 .


thanks for your support

 

The steel is s275.

 

Is that 43A in pre-decimalisation terms?

 

A search on Google would seem to confirm this.

 

Thank you. Will the inside be coated with anything to prevent corrosion?

 

Well the crowdfunder appeal hasn't gone so well , according to the site only £1,330 of the target £20,000 has been achieved. Is there another fundraising stream?

 

if I see an appeal that is using crowd funding that i support, i will contact the organisation directly and donate to them, so that they get the full amount, as the website takes a cut of the donate money.

 

Hello, there are other ways of supporting the Fund:

http://gwr813.org/pdfs/donation.pdf

or bank transfer.

thanks

 

This arrived at Bridgnorth 8.00am Monday 28/7/25

 

Hello,
Update on 813:
The loco is going to appear as NCB 11 for the SVR Autumn Gala. The saddle tank has been refitted and the loco is painted in flat green.
Photos: Amanda Hambidge.

 

813 Getting ready for the SVR Gala
Photo: Amanda Hambidge.