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[[File: {{Infobox GWR steam loco|image = 6960_20141004.jpg |thumbcaption = 6960 in October 2014|200pxconstruc = GWR Swindon Works|wheels = 4-6-0|rating = GWR: D, BR: 5MT|axleload = GWR: Red|rightstatus = Awaiting overhaul| locono = 6960 |designed = Frederick Hawksworth|locotype = '''GWR 6959'''|built = 1944|years1 = 1977|events1 = Arrived on SVR|years2 = 1996|events2 = Left SVR|years3 = 2019|events3 = Returned to SVR on hire|years4 = 2021|events4 = Out of ticket, left SVR|length = 63ft 0¼"|weight = 75t 16cwt|power = 27,275 lb|pressure = 225 lb/sq in October 2014]]}}'''6960 Raveningham Hall''', a GWR 6959 Class 'Modified Hall', was resident on the SVR between 1977 and 19951996 and returned on hire between 2019 and 2021.  The SVR’s SVR's [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall | 4930 Hagley Hall]] is an example of the original Collett design of the successful 4900 Hall Class mixed traffic locomotive. In 1944 FThe Class was first built in the 1920s and the design remained largely unchanged until C.WB. Collett retired in 1941. Frederick Hawksworth, Collett’s his successor as GWR Chief Mechanical EngineerCME, introduced a modified version produced the 6959 Modified Hall class of which 71 were built between 1944 and 1950. Although visually similar to the Hall with improved cylinder steam passagesearlier Halls, the modified version incorporated many changes. The re-design included plate frames incorporating a longer wheelbase with and extended main frames, . Cylinders incorporating improved steam passages were cast separately from the smokebox saddle and bolted to the frames on each side. Increased superheating and a re-designed bogiefeatured. Hawksworth also produced a re-designed tender with flat high sides, and a number of the 4900 and 6898 Class Halls were equipped with these. Seven Modified Halls were preserved, including 6960, although one (7927 Willington Hall) is being used as the donor for the 'Grange' and 'County' re-creation projects. Classmates include formerly [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|hired]] locomotive [[6990 Witherslack Hall]] and [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas| former gala visitors]] 6998 Burton Agnes Hall and 7903 Foremark Hall.

6960 was out-shopped from Swindon in March 1944, and in as the second member of Lot 350. The locomotive initially operated without cab side windows as part of wartime blackout regulations. In June 1947 it received the name Raveningham Hall after a stately home in East Anglia. <ref name=SB8>SVR Stock Book Eighth Edition</ref> The locomotive worked out of London’s Old Oak Common in the 1940s, Reading in the 1950s and latterly Oxford until being withdrawn from service by BR in June 1964.<ref>[http://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=6960&loco=6960 BRDatabase]</ref>

The locomotive was restored at 6960 left [[Barry Scrapyard|Barry]] in October 1972 as the 26th departure and moved to ‘Steamtown’, now the site of West Coast Railways base at Carnforth. <ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Beckett & Hardingham (2010)]] p. 74.</ref> There it was acquired by Mr Brian Thomas and following restoration took part in the [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1975|1975]] [[Rail 150]] celebrations at Shildon.<ref name=SB8/> In May 1977, then owner Brian Thomas moved the locomotive to the SVR, where it continued in service until 1981. Following an overhaul 6960 returned to service in 1983; this second ‘ticket’ lasted the full 10 years to 1993. A third period of service began in late 1995, before the locomotive left the SVR in 1996. While at the SVR 6960 hauled a number of [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line|rail tours on the main line]], including being the first SVR based engine to haul a main line rail tour, F&W Railtours "Cathedrals Express" from Hereford to Chester on 8 April 1978.<ref>SVR News 48</ref> It also acquired the nicknames ‘Ratbag Hall’ and 'Raving Mad Hall'. During that time it also featured in [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway|TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway]], such as [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway#TV_Commercials_and_other|Surprise Surprise]] (1984), [[Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington]] (1987) and [[Virtual Murder]] (1992). <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Miss_Marple_Screenshot_5_6960.jpg | 6960 in '4:50 from Paddington', which also featured night-time parallel running scenes </gallery>  While at the SVR Raveningham Hall recorded 69,392 miles as follows:{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"! <b>Year</b> !! style="text-align:right;" | <b>Mileage</b>|- | 1977 || style="text-align:right;" | 380|-| 1978 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,540|-| 1979 || style="text-align:right;" | 3,890|-| 1980 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,300|-| 1981 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,382|-| 1983 || style="text-align:right;" | 115|-| 1984 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,261|-| 1985 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,224|-| 1986 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,514|-| 1987 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,527|-| 1988 || style="text-align:right;" | 4,798|-| 1989 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,144|-| 1990 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,922|-| 1991 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,419|-| 1992 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,399|-| 1993 || style="text-align:right;" | 3,016|-| 1995 || style="text-align:right;" | 51|-| 1996 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,510|-| <b>Total</b> || style="text-align:right;" | 69,392|}

While at Following a decision by the owner to sell the SVR locomotive, 6960 hauled a number of rail tours on changed owners and left the main lineSevern Valley Railway in late 1996, including being initially moving to the first SVR Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.<ref>Severn Valley Railway News 121,p. 20.</ref> Between 2009 and 2012 she was restored to running condition and returned to steam. 6960 is now operated by Locomotive Services Limited and was based engine at the West Somerset Railway.<ref>[http://www.iconsofsteam.com/locos/raveningham-hall/ Locomotive Services Ltd's website 'Icons of Steam']</ref> In 2019 an agreement was reached to send [[7802]] to the WSR between May and October with Raveningham Hall coming to haul the SVR [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|on hire]] for a main line rail toursimilar period, F&W Railtours "Cathedrals Express" from Hereford to Chester including the [[Autumn Steam Gala]].<ref>NBI 21 May 2019</ref> This was further extended and the locomotive's last runs were on 8 April 19781 July 2021, at which point the locomotive's boiler certification expired.<ref>SVR News 48NBI 15 November 2019</ref> It also acquired In August 2021 'The Railway Magazine' announced that 6960 would go to the nicknames ‘Ratbag Hall’ and One:One Collection museum at Margate for around 18 months, with its future being considered when there was time for a full inspection.<ref>The Railway Magazine, August 2021, "''Raving Mad Raveningham Hallbows out - next stop Margate'.'"</ref>

At the end of 2020, 6960 Raveningham Hall is now had recorded a total of 74,756 miles in preservation on the SVR. The reported total may include mileage on the main line and on hire to other railways while resident here<ref>SVR News 213, ''SVR-based at the West Somerset RailwaySteam Locomotive Mileage 2020'', Duncan Ballard</ref>.

*[[Former Residents]]*[[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line]]*[[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway]]*[[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR]]