Current state of SR U and N moguls

I hope it is ok to group these five locos on one thread, but I am keen to know the current situation of them all.

Firstly 31806, that did so very well at the Spa Valley Railway Gala and following weekend, and I guess it is on its way back, or already back at Swanage after its use at the Mid Norfolk Gala last weekend.

I believe it had a boiler swap with 31874 to keep it in service, so does anyone know how much longer 31806 is expected to be operational under its current ticket etc please - usual caveats apply of course!

It will be great to see it out visiting near Kent again, but I do appreciate the very high cost of moving a tender loco around. Of course for me it is truly wonderful to see it as BR Southern Region 31806!

Then any updates on 31618, 31625, 31638 and 31874 if possible please. I have been to what I think are the relevant websites, but I wonder if there is any more recent news.

Many thanks in advance.

Bryan

 

31618 and 1638 are both in storage at Sheffield Park waiting for their overhauls.

31618 is planned to begin once the overhauls of Q 30541 and Schools 928 Stowe is complete

31806 has an active ticket (subject to usual caveats and annual inspections) till late 2030/early 2031

 

Was the three-cylinder U1´s timed faster than the two-cylindered?

 

31625 is/was tucked into a safe siding at Furzebrook on the Swanage Railway beyond Norden and just about visible if travelling onto River Frome and Wareham.
I remember seeing it when first arrived at Mid Hants around 1980 and travelled down to see a first steaming - around 96??

 

31618 is in storage in the Sheffield Park Carriage Shed. As mentioned above it is the intention of the Maunsell Society to overhaul this engine after the overhaul of Stowe has been completed in the late 2020s.

31625 is in storage. The engine is in the Imerys Siding at Furzebrook (opposite the oil sidings) and a potential tender tank is in storage at Arne Road RRI.

1638 is also in storage in the Sheffield Park Carriage Shed. Perhaps a candidate for overhaul after 1618 or 847.

31806 is the only locomotive in service, with the ticket due to expire in early 2031. As mentioned above, it was given a ‘speed overhaul’ in 2020/2021 after the N fell behind schedule. It has the boiler and tender from the N, giving it a slightly strange look with a narrow tender.

31874 is an interesting one. The frames and wheels are complete at Herston, and there is (unless it’s moved recently) a tender originally from 31806 in Swanage No 2 Siding. I don’t seem to remember hearing anything about the boiler from 31806 going for overhaul either.

 

Thanks one and all, some very interesting information. Nice that, all being well, 31806 has a decent ticket length ahead.

Bryan