Tuesday 24 October 2023

2807 completes loaded test runs and is cleared to re-enter service at the GWSR



CSPL are very please to confirm that 2807 has been signed off to re-enter service at the GWSR. It completed a day of loaded test runs on Saturday 21st October.

Below is a video from you tube leading 35006 double headed through Hailes Abbey halt.

 (3) GWR 2807 & 35006 'P&O' storm past Hayles Abbey | Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway | 21/10/2023. - YouTube

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 



Tuesday 17 October 2023

IS THAT THE SOUND OF LIGHT ENGINE 2807 IN THE COTSWOLDS!!!

This afternoon 2807 completed 23 miles of light engine running between Toddington and Winchcombe.


Thanks to Tom Wright and Tom Wilson the GWSR footplate team and the wider GWSR management

And as always the CSPL support team!! and Ian Carpenter (Carpo)










Friday 13 October 2023

New Operating Contract Signed with Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway

On Saturday the 30th September 2023 Brian Gamlin (Chairman) and Geoff Adlington (Company Secretary) of CSPL meet with Richard Winstanley (Finance Director) of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) to sign a new long term operating contact.

This new contract confirms that the GWSR will remain the loco's home base where it will be a key part of the Steam Locomotive Fleet.




Left to Right below are Richard Winstanley, Brian Gamlin and Geoff Adlington standing beside 2807


 

Thursday 12 October 2023

GWSR Press Release today 12 10 2023

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.