2807 made an appearance at the GWSR Autumn Gala. Photos and videos can be seen on the CSPL Facebook page. YouTube also has some video.
1min 57sec into the below video, some great footage of 2807
(7) Gloucestershire Warwickshire Autumn Showcase Gala!! Featuring the return of 2807 - YouTube
Below are a few photos of 2807 on Sunday 29th October 2023.
Below is a video from you tube leading 35006 double headed through Hailes Abbey halt.
More pictures can be found on the CSPL Facebook page.
Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL) | Facebook
HOT OFF THE PRESS!!
2807 is scheduled to operate on the Sunday of the Autumn Steam Gala
2807 is oldest GWR locomotive in working order once again
· Churchward 2-8-0 moves following three-year
overhaul
· CSPL Chairman: ‘an exciting moment as the wheels turned for the first time’
12 October 2023: Churchward 28xx class no. 2807 is, once again, the oldest working Great Western Railway locomotive having moved under its own power for the first time following its three-year overhaul.
The event took place at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s (GWSR) Toddington depot, the ‘heavyweight champion’ 2-8-0 running up and down the yard.
There are only two other GWR locomotives that are older than 2807, which emerged from Swindon Works in 1905: they are celebrated 4-4-0 no 3717 City of Truro (built 1903) and ‘Dean Goods’ 0-6-0 no. 2516 (of 1897), both of which are at STEAM Museum, Swindon and are not likely work again.
The Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd (CSPL) heavy freight 2-8-0 was brought into steam on Thursday 21 September at about 18.00 and, during the rather wet evening, ran a few miles within the confines of the yard.
Explains Brian Gamlin, Chairman of CSPL, “It was a very exciting moment for the restoration team who witnessed the fruits of their dedicated labour over the past three years.
“There remain outstanding tasks as well as the inevitable ‘snags’ to be fettled, that showed themselves as the engine gently moved up and down the sidings. But there is actually remarkably little to do and we are now setting about finishing off the job list so 2807 can be returned to traffic on the GWSR. The day was an outstanding success.
“The next milestones will be further movements within the yard followed by a full day’s light engine running. There will then be a loaded test run before 2807 can reliably re-enter service.”
He added: “There was of course that moment the team held their breath when steam issued from the cylinder drain cocks as the regulator was opened, watching for the first movement – which generated a huge cheer!”
It is anticipated that the locomotive will be sufficiently completed in time to debut during the GWSR’s ‘Autumn Showcase’ gala over the weekend of 28-29 October. This event combines both steam and diesel locomotives working to an intensive timetable, including a goods train although at present it’s not expected that 2807 will be hauling trains.
However, Brian Gamlin points out the importance of completing remaining tasks to the highest possible standards rather than rushing it to a deadline.
Tender detail being completed
About 2807
The 2800 class was designed by George Jackson Churchward for heavy freight work. The prototype was completed in 1903, with the production locomotives following in 1905 following extensive testing of the prototype, no. 97 (later no. 2800). It was not only the first class of 2-8-0 to work in the UK, but at the time also the most powerful class of locomotive to run in the UK.
In all 167 were built, including C B Collett’s slightly-modified 2884 class. The success of the class was such that they continued working until the early 1960s, no. 2807 being withdrawn in 1963 from Severn Tunnel Junction having covered some 1.5 million miles and consigned to Barry scrapyard in South Wales.
Rescued by CSPL in 1981, 2807 was
the first locomotive from Barry to arrive at the formative GWSR at
Toddington. Following a lengthy
overhaul, the locomotive entered service in 2010, putting in ten years and some
42,000 miles of dependable service before being withdrawn in January 2020 for
its ten-year overhaul, which has been completed in just three years. The boiler was overhauled by Riley & Son
(E) Ltd engineers in Heywood, Bolton while the mechanical overhaul was
completed by volunteers at Toddington.
Parts keep appearing from storage and need a fresh coat of paint.
Below Geof is painting the covers for the water feed pipes, these attach to the boiler cladding and cover the water feed pipes that attach to the clack valves
Paint has been applied to the safety valve bonnet and cab side number plate. Some one has been hard at work with the Brasso too!!
In the coming days I hope to update this blog with some key dates of when 2807 will return to service at the GWSR
Today in front of the BES inspector an in-frames Steam test was complete successfully for GW2807!
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Work will continue over the coming weeks to start the next phase of the HGO in readiness for moving the loco under its own steam.
Keep watch here progress and updates
Its hard to keep up with progress as the CSPL team are working every day to get things back onto the loco.
We are very close to the in frame steam test and, when signed off by the Boiler Inspector, we will be looking to move 2807 and start the shakedown and running in process.
We will keep you updated on here and our Facebook Page
(1) Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL) | Facebook
Fitting the super heater elements
A view from below of the blow down pipe and ash pan door linkages. Also the left hand ride injector
you can see the hard work that has been put in by the team and cleaning everything!!
Next three photos are us test fitting the water feed pipes to the clack valves now that the boiler cladding has been fitted
The team have been connecting the leavers to the ash pan doors. Its difficult to get detailed pictures but here are a few including a view looking at the front of the ash pan as well as the new extension to the back. We have also added a modification to help with ashing out when the loco is in operation
Work is also underway to reconnect the rear sanders. The bar that connects the LHS and RHS was put in place and found to be the wrong way around! This has been corrected and will need further fettling so it clears the blow down valve and damper door mechanism.
The focus is on getting the boiler ready for the in frame steam test but as is the way with locomotives lots have things need to be in the correct place! So its key we have all the correct things connected to the boiler for this upcoming pressure test, i.e Blow down valve!
Fettling to the pipping in the smoke box. Here you can see work on the blower pipping
More test fitting of the J valve covers for the hydrostatic lubrication pipes. With new front barrel section and smoke box these need some re work to enable them to fit.
I am struggling to keep up with progress at Toddington!
The work in the cab keeps on!
Items continued to be added to the back head and the reverser cladding and drivers seat are now in place
Work continues at the front of the loco.
Superheater header in place, steam feed pipes being test fitted, various valves fitted to the outside of the smoke box.
Also some the the super heater elements have been fitted
We are getting closer to the in frame steam test and loco moves!!! Keep watching!!!
