6990 Witherslack Hall

Taken from the GCR E Newsletter.

"Last week saw the long awaited start on the overhaul of the Great Central Railway's 6990 Witherslack Hall.

The boiler was removed during the week and work has started to remove the stays. We are putting a team together to keep work flowing, the timing will depend on cash flow. As 6990 WItherslack Hall was such an iconic engine for us and gave such fantastic service, it is one which we must steam as soon as possible. With that in mind we will shortly be opening an appeal so work is not hed up for too long as it progresses"

Will be good when the loco eventually steams again, steaming alongside 4953 Pitchford Hall.

 

Great news! Witherslack Hall for me, is one of those locos that that imediately springs to mind when you think about the GCR, along with Boscastle and the two GCR heavy freights, the 8F and the O4.

I know... they've only just started the overhaul, and I'm being so predictable... but the enthusiast inside has to ask, what livery will it be in? Personally I would like to see it in BR lined black, it really suited her, and I would say at the moment, it's a livery that can't be seen on any other Hall.

With Boscastle and Witherslack Hall hopefully returning soon, we can look forward to seeing two GCR classics, make a comeback.

 

Haha first comment mentions livery. I love it.

Black would be nice tho.

 

Nah, crimson/red/maroon to take over as "Hogwarts Castle" when 5972 come to the end of it's ticket (yes, I know the films have ended...)

 

As WH ran over the GC during the 1948 exchanges would GW livery from the 40's be best suited?

 

I think she would look great in BR Express Blue. Make a great double header with 6023. Commit to that and you'll get my donation .....

PS that's red green blue and black covered. Anyone going for yellow?

 

If it was painted WHITE the G.C.R. could run "Ghost Train" evening specials?

I'll get my coat.......

 

How about painting it with images of as many £10 notes as it took to complete the full overhaul so people will understand that the paint is about the least expensive and most superficial part. What counts is what is underneath!

 

Well I found this old thread, just over 12 years later, after Witherslack had been finished and run 10 years in service it is back in the shed with its boiler off ready for another overhaul.

 

Hi Phil,
It didn't run anything like 10 years in service. The last overhaul was completed in 2015 and it ran until sometime in 2022 when stopped for repair, not full overhaul.
I don't claim to be an expert on the technicalities, so the following is merely lifted from posts on the 'GCR shed works (loughborough)' Facebook group:
5/8/22 "6990 is being stripped so the boiler can be lifted out due to a blow in the saddle, it is also having a small tube retube."
12/1/23 "...boiler removed so the saddle blow can be found and repaired and also the boiler having a retube whilst it's out."
18/5/23 "...boiler has just had its first warming fire lit since having all the new small tubes fitted ready for a steam test tomorrow."

Interestingly reading the comments on the posts on 5/8/22 the thinking seems to have been that this would see it through 3 more years before overhaul, 12/1/23 the same "as the flue tubes aren't coming out", but by 18/5/23 there seems to be a suggestion that they may get another 7 years out of it. But I may have misunderstood that last comment, and I can't find any confirmation in later posts if they have replaced the flues.

 

Thanks for the more detailed information Phil. I did wonder why this thread was not added too for so many years. I only found it using the search facility, so that the information did not get lost in the GCR General thread.

 

The boiler is now back on Witherslack Hall and all the insulation has been rewrapped. most of the cladding plates are in place so it is only a couple of weeks from completion. However it will then be repainted before entering service.

 

All the cladding is in place and painting has started. It is hoped that Witherslack will be in steam at the next event - Aug 19/20 Railways at Work.

 

We know all GW locos look the same but I don’t think that 6015 numberplates going to convince anyone

 

Don't suppose you happen to know what paint they are going to use- the last lot seemed to turn a bit of a weird shade!

Chris

 

Looks like "Craftmaster" on the table?

 

Its been to Didcot, its a 4-6-0 thats close enough for it to be a King!

 

Steam test passed yesterday - reported on shed Facebook page

 

Witherslack was back in the shed today, cooling down. It was great to see the wisps of steam though!

 

Having just watched the online video of the GCR AGM and noting the comments on there that 6990 will be appearing in a different guise at the Railways at Work Gala, the fact that 6015 was King Richard III (of Leicester car park fame), perhaps that front numberplate is actually an indication of what its going to appear as!!