The Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd has released an update on their GWR 2800 Class No. 2807.
Despite being nearly due a 10-year overhaul, reliability has continued to be good, with very little to report on at the Glos Warks Railway, except for the routine boiler washout.
Back in 2010, when the group were trying to get 2807 ready for passenger service as quickly as possible, one of the tasks was to complete a hydraulic test on the boiler. This means that on the 10th March 2020, the boiler certificate will expire, this will, therefore, trigger a 10-year overhaul. This is of course unless there is a major failure or there is an extension to the boiler ticket.
So, what do the group do? The options are:
- When the annual boiler inspection is due in November, the group don't complete this and start to overhaul the locomotive instead.
- At the end of the 2019 operating season, the locomotive is withdrawn and the overhaul is started.
- At the end of the certificate in March 2020, the overhaul is started.
- At the end of the certificate in 2020, the group see if an extension can be applied.
Of course, each direction has its own pros and cons, however, the Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd will not be making a decision until they have spoken to the GWSR. The group need to make sure that 2807's overhaul fits in with the plans of the railway.
Boiler companies have a long list of work to be getting on with, and the group needs to speak with the relevant groups to select one to complete the boiler work. If there is a gap in the queue, then this may influence the decision on the future of the locomotive.
Once a decision is made, then the group will work with the GWSR to hold a farewell event for 2807.
And then! Of course, the uncertainty of when 2807 will be withdrawn is also being added to as because until the dismantling of the locomotive is started. no one knows what the condition is like, some parts may need more work and money to get them back to the condition they need to be in.
More news will be released when decisions have been made, so keep a lookout on our page for when the news is released!
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