The Severn Valley Railway has enjoyed a busy, festive period and with the new year now firmly afoot, Bridgnorth's volunteer shed master reveals the latest news from the Motive Power Depot.
At present, four locomotives are currently in differing stages of reassembly, including 2-6-2 Tank Locomotives 4150 and 82045, with the two locomotives see regular volunteer work in order to push forward to their steamings.
At the Bridgnorth boiler shop, paid staff members are focusing on components of both locos including 4150's side tanks for riveting and the boiler of 82045. 82045's firebox assembly is almost complete with the boiler barrel having the dome fitted ahead of being attached to the firebox.
GWR 813 Saddletank is currently on the lifting jacks waiting for its new drag-box casting, which is with the suppliers undergoing final machining. The locomotive's bunker, cab roof and rear buffer plank have now been moved to the shed ahead of reassembly.
Dunrobin's wheeled chassis is also in the works, awaiting its boiler, which is nearing completion in the boiler shop.
Taw Valley will soon join the locomotives after being taken out of active service and will be stripped down for an intermediate overhaul, which is because of the locomotive's last heavy general overhaul, which involved a great deal of refurbishment.
The intermediate overhaul is also due to West Country Pacific's wide firebox design, which means that it is unlikely that the boiler will need to be removed from its frames. The locomotive does need a substantial ‘bottom end' overhaul of axle boxes and motion alongside attention on all of the steam fittings. It is anticipated that Taw Valley's overhaul will be ongoing until 2025.
Ivatt class 4 ‘Flying Pig' 43106 has also now sadly reached the end of its boiler certificate and is now out of service.
Stanier Mogul 2968 will also be homed in the Bridgnorth paint shop for the winter following some service in December and also at the Winter Gala and will return as 13268 sporting the original ‘as-built' guise.
Erlestoke Manor No. 7812 also saw service during December and early January, however, will be out and about for summer the season, attending the Bluebell Railway's Branch Line Gala Weekend during May, and then to the West Somerset Railway until the end of October.
Pannier Tank 7714 has seen a concerning issue arise whilst in operation in late December, which is still under investigation. However, the locomotive was deemed fit to work during the gala and will see ongoing close monitoring.
75069 will be off to the Great Central Railway for a winter event, replacing S160 ‘Omaha' which sadly encountered boiler issues during late December which have not been resolved, leaving the locomotive unavailable for the Severn Valley Railway's own Winter Gala. At present, discussions are ongoing with ‘Omaha's' owner regarding the locomotive's future.
