The Great Western Society‘s 1466 Restoration Facebook page has posted an update on the overhaul on their Great Western Railway 1400 Class steam locomotive No.1466 at the Great Western Society’s home, Didcot Railway Centre.

The team overhauling 1466 at Didcot Railway Centre have recently started to fit the new sections of the bunker at the rear of the locomotive.

Both CNC laser cutting and plate bending has been used to form each new section, with both corner pieces being manufactured by the South Devon Railway.

So far, the bottom half of the bunker has been rebuilt, with some of the rear top curved panels also fixed in place.

Supporting 1466’s Overhaul

The project, estimated to cost £300,000, is the most extensive overhaul the engine has received since 1961 when Newton Abbott carried out a Heavy Intermediate Overhaul on 1466.

Both the rolling chassis and boiler have undergone major repairs, such as a new smokebox. With the Great Western Society’s 60th Anniversary in August 2021 and 1466 being the first locomotive acquired by the Society, the Great Western Society hopes to return the locomotive to traffic in time for the anniversary.

The Society is asking for donations towards the remaining £60,000 needed to finish any outstanding work, with more information available here.

For more information or to support the Great Western Society at Didcot Railway Centre, please visit their website here.

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