BR Standard Class 7 70000 Britannia

70000 Britannia in April 2012

BR Standard Class 7 No 70000 Britannia was resident on the SVR between 1971 and 1980.

Contents

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 Britannia was withdrawn from service by BR in May 1966, after 15 years of service.[1]

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 which had been maintained in good condition for the ‘end of steam’ enthusiast specials. Britannia was eventually bought by The Steam Locomotive Preservation Company Ltd in 1970.[1]

Britannia arrived at the SVR in April 1971 for restoration to be completed. The locomotive was delivered to Bridgnorth on 9 April 1971 behind 43106. Members of the preservation company’s supporting body, the Britannia Locomotive Society, undertook much of the restoration and fundraising work having also become members of the SVR for insurance purposes.[1]

Restoration began shortly after arrival. 70000 was steamed for the first time in 12 years on 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.[2] Following a test run to Hampton Loade on 7 September, Britannia worked services with the Bulmer's Pullman set between Bewdley and Foley Park during the 1978 Autumn Enthusiasts event on 9-10 September, although it was noted that further work was required on the boiler.[3] A total of 275 miles were recorded on 8 steaming days in 1978.[4]

70000 recorded a further 80 miles in 1979,[5] but by mid-year was awaiting boiler repairs.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9] Britannia returned as a guest locomotive for the 2015 and 2018 Autumn Steam Galas. It is operated on the main line by Icons of Steam.[10]

Footage of the delivery of 70000 from Crewe to Bridgnorth on 4 September 2018 was included in the UKTV programme Train Tuckers first broadcast 30 August 2019.

70000 re-visited the SVR in early 2022 for running in tests after an overhaul, arriving by road on 25 January and leaving by rail on 16 February[11].

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 SVR News 19
  2. SVR News 48
  3. SVR News 49
  4. SVR News 50
  5. SVR News 58
  6. SVR Bews 53
  7. SVR News 55
  8. Marshall (1989) p. 181
  9. Royal Scot Locomotive and General Trust web page (Retrieved 25 February 2015)
  10. Icons of Steam (Retrieved 15 January 2018)
  11. SVR-Online Forum

Links

SVR Wiki

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

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Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

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Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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