GWR No. 2807

For an update on progress with No. 2807 please visit
http://www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk/restored.htm

For information, the tubing of the boiler has now started having been held up for two months by the late delivery of superheater flue tubes. But otherwise progress is good and we are still on target for steaming late in 2009.

 

2807 - Are we there yet?

Over the years I have bumped into old friends and work colleagues at various times and, if the meeting has been in my office (locations have varied!) they have often looked at a picture of 2807 (called "Heavyweight Champion") steaming through Winchcombe Station by Frederick Lea, as I am looking at it now while writing this, and said "When is your engine going to steam then?" I have always replied with a double answer - "well it isn't exactly my engine - I only sponsored a bit of it" and "It is being restored, we will be there soon." This time, the second part of my answer can be changed to "we will be there VERY soon."
Having joined the GWR in 1977 (When it was the Glos Warks Railway Society and didn't own any track or stations) I have been looking forward to seeing 2807 running on the line for far too long. Clearly we are all very excited about what is going to happen and we know that there is still work to do - in fact the work won't stop. The locomotive driving wheel tyres are down to their last turning so we will need new tyres after a while (the pony truck tyres are brand new and the tender tyres are fine) so I don't think 2807 will ever stop being demanding of us!
2807 is a special GWR locomotive. Built in October 1905, it is the oldest GWR standard gauge loco not in a National Collection, it is an old time GWR and BR resident of the Honeybourne Line and it was the oldest locomotive ever to be sent to Barry Scrapyard. 28xxs are not rare in preservation terms, but, as Pete Thornhill says, only 2857 has ever steamed before (all the others are Collett 2884s) and so 2807's rebirth will be quite an event. After all that, 2859 may also be available, who knows!

 

The current plans are for 2807 to have its hydraulic and steam tests at Llangollen and then to undertake some testing there (using another tender - 2807's own tender is at Toddington) before being transferred back to Toddington for connecting up with its own tender and continuation of testing at the end of 2009.
However, the latest newsletters from the owners (Cotswold Steam Preservation) state that this plan may change slightly as the Glos Warks Railway is not yet happy with the state of 2807's tender (it did run in traffic behind the 38xx at the Llangollen 2007 Steel Steam and Stars event) unless some additional work can be done - and this is being done at present but it wasn't expected and it will cost of course. Also, I understand that the Glos Warks Railway won't be able to assist as much with 2807's testing at Toddington so it might have to stay at Llangollen a little longer. Please note that I am only passing on what I have read and I am not personally involved with the day to day restoration and planning for 2807. (Which is a shame as I would prefer that to being at work!) As is the case with restoring a steam loco, there is always something unexpected to expect. However, mighty fine progress is being made and we have to meet the 2010 deadline to appear in steam for the 175th Anniversary event.

 

I am not really a steam person, more diesel hydraulic for me thanks!!!

But I have been visiting the gwr since I was a kid (1994) attending diesel gala's and the occasional transport day, and I have always been interested in the progress of 2807 and 35006, as both are signifcant to the railway as they are the two original 'old school' gwsr loco's!

I am very pleased to see the group now finally getting some real reward for the years of work. Dare I say it, I wouldnt even mind to come and see 2807 in service, and that says a lot for me hahaha

Its amazing how much the line has developed into a big player in the heritage railway scene since I first started going, and with important big loco's like this coming into traffic, it set to get better, particulary along with Broadway!!!

ps please restore the Siphon G into traffic as well, dont no why, but I really like them, fitting to 2807 also!

 

The Syphon G was used as the restoration store and workshop for 2807 but that duty has now been taken over by a more modern vehicle. Instead, the Syphon will, as far as possible, be restored to its original condition (there are some spare fittings that came with it when it was purchased from Swindon in the early 1980s) and it will hopefully run in a demonstration goods train. Syphons also ran in passenger trains. When purchased from Swindon it was given a decent set of bogies. Ironically, we could have bought several syphons but weren't in a position to do so and didn't need them. I guess nearly all the rest were soon scrapped. "Our" Syphon was built in 1945 so is a relative youngster for the GWR.

 

Best way to find out about progress on 2807 is become a member of CSP or share holder! News letters and emails will keep you updated.

Things are moving so fast now its the only way to keep up!!.

Always looking for new people to help also!

 

The latest photos on the photopic site show the flue tubes all in place in 2807's boiler with many of the small tubes now also being fitted. Meanwhile at Toddington work continues in preparing 2807's tender to meet the standard required by the Glos Warks Rly and a number of other essential tasks are being completed (including the vacuum pump) to make sure that this iconic locomotive steams very soon!

 

''However, the latest newsletters from the owners (Cotswold Steam Preservation) state that this plan may change slightly as the Glos Warks Railway is not yet happy with the state of 2807's tender (it did run in traffic behind the 38xx at the Llangollen 2007 Steel Steam and Stars event) unless some additional work can be done - and this is being done at present but it wasn't expected and it will cost of course''

What kind of attitude is that from the gwsr? Is there nuclear rods in it or something?

 

It's a very sensible attitude actually. There is obviously something wrong with the tender that needs further attention in order to comply with their standards. It may be something relatively minor or something needing a lot more work - we don't know. However, if they let the tender run without this work being done, and there was an incident, the GWSR would be held up as being irresponsible for allowing it to run. There is of course, possible legal issues arising from that scenario.

Make sure everything is as perfect as possible BEFORE it runs - I'm sure that's what CSP and GWSR want so that the engine runs well and safely.


Keith

 

Ghost is absolutely right. The Glos Warks Railway (of which I am also a member) clearly decides the fitness to run of any item of rolling stock on its lines. Whilst 2807's tender had been "run-in" at the Llangollen Railway for the SSS 2007 event, that was only for a relatively short time and it was always understood that some work would need to be done on the tender to prepare it for regular service behind 2807 on the GWR. However, there is more work than was expected. Work is progressing and examples of what is being done can be seen on the 2807 Photopic site. Some are relatively minor - like fitting a missing lamp iron bracket but others, such as cutting and adjusting the brake weyshaft bracket need careful metal surgery to ensure that the tender brakes work perfectly, not just that they work, if you see what I mean. Many 2807 shareholders are key players in the GWR so there is no "fear or favour" here.
From an historical perspective, the tender (No 2065) is actually younger than the locomotive but was still one of the oldest Churchward 3500 gallon tenders in Barry Scrapyard, being built around June 1919. It was chosen because of its age, not its condition! It first ran behind 43xx No 5370 and its last locomotive pairing was with 2884 No 3802, which it met again at Llangollen! Prior to this, the tender ran behind 7815 "Fritwell Manor" which is why it still had the orange and black lining on it when we started to scrape the paint and rust off back in the early 1980s.

 

Fair enough, but like you say it had already ran in service so was wondering why they are rejecting it.... Now I know.

I never knew the tender was also bought from Barry, I thought that was aquired later from somewhere else (ie railway) learn something new every day as they say...

Look forward to it steaming

 

Apologies for being pedantic, but that would be No. 1378 (now 73) 'Margaret', an 1878 Fox Walker 0-6-0ST from the Maenclochog/North Pembrokeshire Railway. Even though its in Scolton Manor museum, its by no means part of the National Collection (owned instead by Pembrokeshire County Council).

Although not owned by the GWR when built, and sold on in 1910 and 1923, it was purchased and operated by the company in 1898, possibly making it the oldest surviving standard gauge locomotive to have worked on the GWR by virtue of the date of purchase. That would make 2807 the oldest working GWR locomotive not currently residing in a museum of any shape or form. Once again, apologies for being pedantic, but I enjoyed doing a bit of research on this!

 

Even better, so 2807 is the oldest pure GWR locomotive not in a museum of any description !

 

Interesting anecdote about the 0-6-0ST Fox Walker loco which is owned by a local authority. It is easy for me (for me at least!) to forget that the GWR included a number of smaller constituent companies. I suppose what I was trying to say (so should have said it!) was that 2807 is the oldest GWR standard gauge steam locomotive that is owned by a number of individuals (albeit a non-profit organisation) rather than a public body. Additional owners are always welcome and with shares at only £150 each payable by standing order/direct debit in installments has got to be a good deal!

 

Actually Dean Goods 2516 at 'Steam' would just beat it on the second point having been built in 1897.

 

I would think the Dean Goods is part of the National Collection