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.

(1) Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL) | Facebook

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)

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

 

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.

SHE MOVES!!!!!

Today the CSPL team moved 2807 after a 3 year overhaul

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE CSPL TEAM!!!

 

POLISH AND PAINT!

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

The next picture shows small amounts of filler being used on the covers for the steam feed pipes. These attach to the outside of the smoke box and running plate and cover the steam feed pipes.

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

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!

Today in front of the BES inspector an in-frames Steam test was complete successfully for GW2807!

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

We are not far away now!!

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

and steam feed pipes

A view from below of the blow down pipe and ash pan door linkages. Also the left hand ride injector

A close up back head shot of the regulator in 2019 and 2023 (excuse the numbers)

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

Further work on the RHS con rod, cleaning and checking the oiler rings

Focus on things underneath!!!

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

Is that the Chairman actually onsite getting his hands dirty!! YES this is yours truly.

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.

We are getting close to the in frame steam test and then the initial locomotives moves!! Keeping watching here for further news!!