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Update as 13268
{{Infobox black steam loco
|image = 42968_20090925.jpg
|caption = As 42968 , at Highley in 2009
|construc = LMS Crewe Works
|wheels = 4-6-0
|rating = 5MT
|status = Operational
|locono = 4296813268|othernos = 132682968, 296842968
|designed = William Stanier
|locotype = '''Stanier Mogul'''
|years1 = 1973
|events1 = Arrived on SVR
|years2 = 1990-1998
|events2 = First steamed in preservation
|years3 = 19911996-1998|events3 = Entered regular service Operation on SVRthe main line|years4 = 19982002-2013|events4 = Withdrawn for overhaulSecond ticket|years5 = 20022023
|events5 = Re-entered service
|length = 69ft 10¾"
|weight = 69t 2cwt
|pressure = 225 lb/sq in
}}
'''4296813268''', originally later numbered '''LMS 132682968''' and later '''LMS 296842968''' , is the sole surviving example of a '''Stanier Mogul''', one of the first classes designed by Stanier after his arrival on the LMS.
==The Stanier Mogul==
Forty were built between October 1933 and March 1934 as part of a single Lot (Lot 104). Stanier then produced a larger 4-6-0 for his mixed traffic class, the [[45110|LMS Black Five]] Class. Probably due to the success of this design, no further Moguls were built.
The Moguls were originally designated as class 4F when new, subsequently altered to 5P4F in 1934 and 5P5F in 1938/9. BR rated the class 5MT. <ref group="note">BR Database records the class as 6P5F</ref> They were initially numbered 13245–13284 (following on from the Crabs), becoming 2945–2984 in 1934 (the Crabs becoming 2700–2944). BR added 40000 to their numbers so they became 42945–42984. The Moguls were always painted black, normally lined out except during the 1940s and towards the end of steam.
The type was sometimes referred to by railwaymen as "North West Crabs". The Class was also known as 'Lobsters'.<ref>[https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=class&type=S&id=426001 BR Database] (Retrieved 26 March 2024)</ref> They were mainly found on the ex-LNWR system where they were regularly used on heavy freight duties, often at night. As a mixed traffic loco they were also used on passenger workings, particularly on summer reliefs, and occasionally on express work, usually deputising when a larger locomotive was unavailable (see below).
== 42968 13268 in service ==42968 was originally numbered 13268, and entered traffic on 24 January 1934, allocated to Willesden shed. The locomotive was renumbered as 2968 in September 1935, and over its lifetime was allocated to a wide variety of sheds on the LMS Western Division, mostly in the North-West but including spells at Aston, Bescot and Nuneaton. It became British Railways' 42968 in December 1948. On 31 December 1958 , 42968 replaced 46239 ''City of Chester'' on an Up express service after it failed at Carnforth, working the train as far as Crewe. It was noted on another express passenger service at Bromsgrove on 8 August 1959, the 08:40 Bournemouth to Bradford (Exch).
By 1960, 42968 had covered over 700,000 miles. Its final shed before withdrawal in 1966 was Springs Branch. On of the locomotive's duties that year was a Wigan Area brake van tour on 13 August 1966. Its last recorded working was on 14 December 1966 when noted passing Preston on the 6:35pm parcels train ex-Liverpool Lime Street Station.
== 42968 13268 in preservation =====Restoration and first boiler ticket, as 2968 ===Following withdrawal on 31 December 1966, the then numbered 42968 was purchased for scrap by [[Barry Scrapyard | Woodham Bros]]. By 1969 all other members of the class had been cut up, and the [[Stanier Mogul Fund]] was formed in 1970 to preserve her as an important example of an early Stanier locomotive. Fund raising was helped by a [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|raffle organised by the SVRA North West Branch]] in 1973.<ref>SVR News 29, 30</ref>
After four years the Fund had raised Woodham Bros's asking price, with a cheque for £3,575 (including VAT) being handed to Dai Woodham on 1 September 1973, in time to avoiding a pending £500 increase. A working party at Barry on 10-14 November prepared the loco for rail movement, after which the loco was hauled to the SVR, arriving at [[Bewdley ]] on 14 December 1973.<ref>SVR News 30</ref>
Restoration began at Bridgnorth following a move there in July 1974. At the time, SVR News reported the SMF's optimistic estimate that this would take around three years and cost around £3,000.<ref>SVR News 33</ref><ref group="note">Greaves and Norman's ''Pictorial History'' suggested an even more optimistic estimate of two years and £1,000 to complete the restoration. In the event it would take around 16 years and cost over £100,000.</ref> Initially the locomotive was stored outside and moved from place to place around the yard, making work increasingly difficult. By Autumn 1975 some work had been carried out to prevent further deterioration, but the locomotive was stored awaiting 'finance and labour'.
The loco moved under its own steam for the first time in preservation on 12 November 1990, completing two light engine round trips between Bridgnorth and Highley. After further light engine trips on the following Thursday, two ECS return trips to Kidderminster were scheduled for Monday 19 November. The first of these was terminated at Highley due to a bomb scare at the BSC Foley Park factory, but the afternoon trip was completed without incident.<ref>SVR News 98</ref> The locomotive officially entered SVR service on 13 April 1991 in LMS livery numbered 2968. Unfortunately, it had to be withdrawn from traffic in December 1993 due to a loose tyre. The autumn 1993 "Tyre a Mogul in 1994" [[:Category:SVR fundraising lotteries|raffle organised by the SVR Macclesfield Branch]] and drawn in January 1994 raised over £4,000 net to assist with the total cost of more than £15,000. Following tyre replacement 2968 re-entered service in December 1994. The tender tank was also due for replacement so 2968 temporarily borrowed the Stanier tender from Black Five [[45110]]
In 1996 42968 2968 was mainline-certified, and over the next two years hauled a number of [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line | main-line railtours]], including the Settle-Carlisle line from Crewe to Carlisle. She also took part in the 1998 "Steam On The Met" event. 42968’s 2968’s main line career included a couple of ‘firsts’::On 22nd November 1997, 42968 it and 7325 were the first steam locos in preservation to work a train over the 1:38 Lickey Incline. :On 3rd January 1998, 42968 it set off on a rail tour from Shrewsbury to Newport and Gloucester via the Central Wales line. At Llandrindod Wells it was discovered that the track ahead was flooded, so 42968 2968 drew the train back to Craven Arms running tender first, then ran around to take a detour via the Welsh Marches route. This was the first time that a steam-hauled special had been rerouted mid-tour.
In 2001 the Stanier Mogul Fund produced “A Pictorial History of 2968 The Mighty Mogul”. This includes comprehensive reports and pictures of the locomotive’s main line tours. Copies of this publication may still be available from the SMF’s [[Stanier Mogul Fund sales stand | sales stand]]. A complete list of main line appearances is as follows:
|}
A boiler inspection in February 1998 found that firebox crown stays were wasted below Railtrack requirements for main line working, curtailing further railtours. However the locomotive continued in SVR service and was invited by London Underground to take part in that year's 'Steam on the Met'.<ref group="note">London Transport was not part of the Railtrack network and agreed that the locomotive's 'heritage' boiler certificate was acceptable.</ref> During the next annual boiler examination in October 1998, the condition of the firebox side stays was found to be poor and the locomotive was immediately withdrawn from traffic and placed into store at Bridgnorth.<ref name=SVR135>SVR News 135</ref>.
===Second boiler ticket, as 42968===Work began on the 'bottom end' while awaiting space in the boiler queue. The boiler was eventually lifted for repair and moved into the boiler shop on 20 October 2000, by which time the SMF had decided that the locomotive would re-enter service in later BR mixed traffic lined black livery as 42968.<ref name=SVR135/> Boiler repair work included fabrication of a new copper tube plate for the firebox to replace the original cracked one. By autumn 2002 the boiler had been successfully steam tested and reunited with the frames, and following reassembly including fitting of a new cab roof, the overhaul was completed in in time for a return to service in 2003.<ref>SVR News 140, 141</ref>
During the overhaul, it had been the SMF's intention to return to the main line. However a number of obstacles arose:
42968's second boiler certificate expired in January 2013.
===Third boiler ticket, as 13268===
The latest overhaul began in early 2014, with the boiler lifted from the frames on 22 July of that year.<ref>SVR News 188</ref> The volunteers continued to work on the 'bottom end', while the boiler was moved to the 'Boilershop Park' in early 2016 for preparatory work ahead of a move into the boiler shop when space became available.<ref>SVR News 193</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Progress was then inevitably affected by the [[2020 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic]].
The boiler successfully passed a hydraulic test in March 2023, marking the start of a new '10-year ticket',<ref>[https://staniermogulfund.org.uk/overhaul-update-173/ SMF Overhaul Update]</ref> and passed its steam test on 19 June 2023.<ref>National Preservation Forum</ref> In October 2023 it successfully moved under its own power and was undergoing commissioning commissioned as No 2968 in unlined black, with a repaint into its original lined livery and original number 13268 planned for early 2024.<ref>[https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/svr-loco-newsy-news-discussions.19520/page-141#post-2831699 National Preservation Forum ''SVR Loco Newsy News / discussions'']</ref> On 21 October 2023 it travelled light engine to Kidderminster to coincide with the AGM of the owning group the Stanier Mogul Fund.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
2968_20231021.jpg|2968 at Kidderminster, 21 October 2023
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== See also ==
