Changes

Lot 263, the batch from 7700-7724, were built in 1930 under contract by Kerr Stuart & Co. of Stoke with vacuum brakes and steam heating, and fitted with riveted tanks and polished brass safety valve covers. The visible rivets on the water tanks are a sign of its non-Swindon origin. The batch was one of several partly funded by interest-free Government loans intended to relieve unemployment during the 'Great Depression'.<ref>le Fleming, H.M., 'The Locomotives of the Great Western Railway, Part 5: Six-coupled Tank Engines', Oxford: RCTS (April 1958), ISBN 0-901115-35-5</ref> 7714 was built at a reported cost of £3,160 as works no 4449 of 1930 and entered service at Tyseley in April of year. It was one of the last locomotives produced by that manufacturer, which was wound up later that year.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Ferris (1995)]] p. 29</ref> GWR ATC was added a few years after delivery.

7714 came to the SVR on 29 March 1973 following a successful bid by Representatives of the [[Severn Valley Railway Association | SVRA]] Kidderminster Branch's [[SVR Pannier Tank Fund|Pannier Tank Fund]] which inspected 7714 and chose it in preference to sister 7754, then at Mountain Ash, Mardy. The Fund tendered £1,750 and completed the purchase on 3 January 1973.<ref>Private correspondence from the Pannier Tank Fund, March 2023</ref> Caudles duly delivered 7714 by road to Bridgnorth on 29 March. The Fund had already acquired [[5764 ]] (L95) two years earlier.

As with other ex-NCB locomotives it was in a very worn condition, with all wheels sporting dangerous 'double flanges'. After the boiler was lifted from the frames at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]], both were transported to [[Bewdley Down Yard]] "in a number of wagons" in late 1974. A lengthy restoration then followed, although little work took place until late 1977 while the Fund concentrated its efforts on paying off loans.<ref>SVR News 46, ''The Saga of the Pannier Tanks'', John Hill</ref> In 1979 an [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] was held to raise funds for the restoration.<ref>SVR News 52</ref> In spring 1985 another [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|SVRA raffle]] was held to raise funds for contract work on the motion and the boiler. A total of around £5,600 nett was raised in this raffle.<ref>SVR News 75, 77</ref> In Spring 1989 “The Final Frontier” [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries| raffle organised by the SVRA Kidderminster Branch]] was held to raise money for the boiler, realising just over £6,000 after expenses.<ref>SVR News 91, 93</ref>