GWR 2807 - A Major Milestone

[Kinghambranch]

A St Patricks Day to remember!

On Wed 17 Mar 2010, a fire was lit in 2807's boiler (at 1207 pm) for the first time since 1963. I received the e-mail late last night. There are some photos from Llangollen on the 2807 photo website:

http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/

I'm only sorry I couldn't be there! More news to follow on the steam test etc as and when I get it but hopefully someone else will post it first! We have a date at GWR 175 at Toddington so we can't relax yet!

2807 was purchased in 1980 and was the oldest Barry Scrapyard loco to survive, built in October 1905. It has been a long haul and its not over yet but, after a successful boiler hydraulic test last week work continues to test the boiler before final assembly and testing at Llangollen.

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Good news indeed. Im very much looking forward to seeing this one run.

 

[Domeyhead]

Well done! a magnificent achievement and a proud moment for you. Always a special occasion when a loco is steamed for the first time in preservation, and one that the entire movement can celebrate with you.

 

[Kinghambranch]

Well done! a magnificent achievement and a proud moment for you. Always a special occasion when a loco is steamed for the first time in preservation, and one that the entire movement can celebrate with you.

Thank you for your kind words which are much appreciated. I cannot and would not wish to take any credit for the recent surge in the restoration developments with 2807 except to tell anyone who would listen (and some who didn't want to!) that 2807 was going to steam one day and sooner rather than later. We have been very lucky as a group in that we did have a locomotive with some claim to fame being the oldest ex-Barry resident and the oldest standard gauge GWR built locomotive in non-public hands. We were also very lucky in that the original group of members had the foresight and temerity to secure the locomotive for preservation. Our luck has continued with the enrolment of more supporters and working volunteers, some of whom have found time to do so much over recent years. Lastly, the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has supported us (many 2807 shareholders like me are also GWR shareholders and/or members) and has recognised that 2807 is special (it ran on the Honeybourne Line in GWR and BR days). I'm proud to have been part of it and, although we are not quite there yet as regards a finished loco, 2807 has passed its static tests and we now need to ensure that it passes all the other tests as a moving object! Clearly it would have been great if 2807 could have steamed for its 100th birthday in 2005 but that wasn't possible but now we should be ready for GWR 175.

 

[Kinghambranch]

The latest news on the 2807 Fotopic site is here:

http://cotswoldsteampreservation.fpic.co.uk/c1857042.html

If I may be permitted a very brief outburst:

JUST REJOICE AT THAT NEWS!

 

[Kinghambranch]

I am very pleased to say that 2807 is now in service at the GWR at Toddington, Glos. The locomotive is booked to run some trains this coming weekend (21 and 22 Aug). I was able to take a trip behind the loco on 7 Aug but we had a valve cover boss failure (due to a dropped link due to a pin working loose etc) but all was fixed within a week. Although having run over 500 miles on the Llangollen Railway 2807 did have a "flounce" on her home railway but even managed to rescue a failed class 47 at Winchcombe last Sunday! I still await my footplate ride but hopefully soon! Go and see 2807 if you can.