Changes

[[File: 70000_20120423.jpg |thumb|200px300px|right| 70000 Britannia in April 2012]]BR Standard Class 7 No 70000 Britannia was resident on the SVR between 1971 and 19891980.

==Service==70000 Britannia was the first of the R.A. Riddles designed British Railways standard locomotives to be built, emerging from the Crewe workshops in January 1951. During BR service 70000 was chosen to haul the funeral train of King George VI from King's Lynn to London following his death in February 1952. Britannia was withdrawn from service by BR in May 1966, after 15 years of service.<ref name=SVR19>SVR News 19</ref>

==Preservation==Initially 70000 was stored as a candidate for the National Railway Museum’s National Collection. However, due to her prototype design and construction differences, and also to accident damage caused in a collision at Manchester shortly before withdrawal, the NRM instead selected 70013 Oliver Cromwell, insteadwhich had been maintained in good condition for the ‘end of steam’ enthusiast specials. Britannia was eventually bought by Britannia The Steam Locomotive Preservation Company Ltdin 1970.<ref name=SVR19/>

Britannia arrived at the SVR in [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1971 | April 1971]] for restoration to be completed. This The locomotive was achieved in delivered to Bridgnorth on 9 April 1971 behind [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1978 | May 197843106]], 12 years, after . Members of the locomotive had last steamed. 70000 was renamed ‘Britannia’ at a ceremony on 20 May 1978 by Mr R A Riddlespreservation company’s supporting body, the locomotive’s designer. However the locomotive saw minimal use on the SVR before departing onto the main lineBritannia Locomotive Society, as its weight undertook much of 94 tons the restoration and axle load fundraising work having also become members of 20 tons 5cwt made it too heavy the SVR for the line at the time - in particular it was not allowed over Victoria Bridge with a full boilerinsurance purposes.<ref>The Severn Valley Railway, John Marshall (1989), p181.<name=SVR19/ref>.

Restoration began shortly after arrival. 70000 was steamed for the first time in 12 years on [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1978 | 18 May 1978]]. The locomotive was then renamed ‘Britannia’ at a ceremony at Bridgnorth on 20 May 1978 by Mr R A Riddles, the locomotive’s designer.<ref>SVR News 48</ref> Following a test run to Hampton Loade on 7 September, Britannia left worked services between Bewdley and Foley Park during the 1978 Autumn Enthusiasts on 9-10 September, although it was noted that further work was required on the boiler.<ref>SVR News 49</ref> A total of 275 miles were recorded on 8 steaming days in 1978.<ref>SVR News 50</ref>  70000 recorded a further 80 miles in spring 19811979,<ref>SVR News 58</ref> but by mid-year was awaiting boiler repairs. <ref>SVR Bews 53</ref> In Spring 1980 the SVR announced that it would be unable to finance these further repairs and that the Britannia Locomotive Company had decided to remove the locomotive to the Nene Valley Railway.<ref>SVR News 55</ref> A major factor in the minimal use on the SVR before departing was the locomotive's weight of 94 tons and axle load of 20 tons 5cwt which made it too heavy for the line at the time - in particular it was not allowed over Victoria Bridge with a full boiler<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 181.</ref> After a period of ownership by Pete Waterman, the locomotive was bought by Jeremy Hosking and was transferred to the Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust <ref>[http://www.royalscot.org.uk/ Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust web page] Retrieved 25 February 2015.</ref>. Britannia returned as a guest locomotive for the [[Severn_Valley_Railway_Timeline_2010-2019#2015|2015 Autumn Steam Gala]]. {{As of|20172018}} it is operated on the main line by Icons of Steam.<ref>[http://www.iconsofsteam.com/locomotives/britannia Icons of Steam] Retrieved 25 February 201515 January 2018.</ref> Britannia returned as a guest locomotive for the [[Severn_Valley_Railway_Timeline_2010-2019#2015|2015 Autumn Steam Gala]].