The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust has announced that it will be working with Locomotive Services Group to overhaul and help return LNER A4 No. 60019 ‘Bittern' back to service.
This news builds on the agreement signed in 2019 to operate 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley on the mainline with LSG.
To facilitate the overhaul, a new entity will be formed – SNG Engineering Ltd.
The overhaul will be completed in North Yorkshire at a new engineering location that has been secured.
The site is expected to be up and running in 2024 and 60019 will then move from storage in Margate to North Yorkshire. The boiler will be overhauled at LSG's boiler shop in Crewe.
The chassis will be overhauled by the Sir Nigel Gresley team in parallel with the work on the boiler, which is thought to be in good condition.
A timescale for the overhaul is thought to be a few years, certainly enough time to see the two A4's on the mainline together.
The SNGLT engineering team was based in York between 2015 and 2022 and have been keen to find a new home in Yorkshire since the locomotive became operational.
Overhauling Bittern has been part of the plan since the early days of discussions with LSL, with background work going on for some time.
SNG Engineering Ltd will be chaired by Bob Shearman, a Trustee of SNGLT. Engineering activities will be run by Loco Engineer Darrin Crone and CME Richard Swales.
However, SNGLT has made it clear that neither SNGLT or SNGE will be entering the market for contact work on overhauls. The reason behind the move to Yorkshire is that LSL have acknowledged that that have more steam locos than they can overhaul.
Chairman's comment: I am pleased we are able to announce this to members, it is something we have been working on for a long time and I see it as central to the long-term future of SNGLT and the continued operation of Sir Nigel Gresley. Maintaining and passing on the skills needed to keep an A4 operational is something we must do to ensure a successful future and this arrangement gives us that opportunity.
A bit late catching up with this news. Bittern back in steam – wonderful! I first saw her in Brunswick Green which would certainly be my first love, but seeing her back in my life time would be a dream – whatever her livery. I understand this could be a few years yet, though.
Please please please leave her in LNER Garter Blue – there has been enough of the rose tinted spectacles brigade defiling beautiful LNER locos with BR colours.
Completely agree!
how long will the overhaul be
when was bitterns last rail tour trip
wow how amazing is this will she break her speed recorded in 2024
Great news I saw Sir Nigel Gresley at the svr for testing it was in black livery and have recently seen it in the blue livery. To see these two together would be amazing.
This is great news! Always wanted to see Bittern! Will it go with 2 tenders or just one?
Great to hear that Bittern is coming back! Hope she remains in her Garter Blue rather then be in BR Brunswick Green..
This is very good news. It has obviously been a hidden kept secret until now. Just wondering where this good work is going to take place.
It will be great to see 2 A4’s in action again.