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GWR 6960 Raveningham Hall

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GWR 6960 Raveningham Hall
6960 20141004.jpg
6960 in October 2014
Built By GWR Swindon Works
Configuration 4-6-0
Power class GWR: D, BR: 5MT
Axle load class GWR: Red
Status In service
Loco Number 6960
History
Built 1944
Designed By Frederick Hawksworth
Type GWR 6959
1977 Arrived on SVR
1996 Left SVR
2019 Returned to SVR on hire
Technical
Length 63ft 0¼"
Weight 75t 16cwt
Tractive effort 27,275 lb
Pressure 225 lb/sq in

Steam Locomotives

6960 Raveningham Hall, a GWR 6959 Class 'Modified Hall', was resident on the SVR between 1977 and 1996 and returned on hire in 2019. The SVR’s 4930 Hagley Hall is an example of the original Collett design of the successful 4900 Hall Class mixed traffic locomotive. In 1944 F.W. Hawksworth, Collett’s successor as GWR Chief Mechanical Engineer, introduced a modified version of the Hall with improved cylinder steam passages, a longer wheelbase with extended main frames, and a re-designed bogie.

Contents

6960 in service

6960 was out-shopped from Swindon in March 1944 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.[1]. The locomotive worked out of London’s Old Oak Common in the 1940s, Reading in the 1950s and latterly Oxford until being withdrawn from service by BR in June 1964.[2]

6960 in preservation

6960 left Barry in October 1972 as the 26th departure and moved to ‘Steamtown’, now the site of West Coast Railways base at Carnforth.[3] There it was acquired by Mr Brian Thomas and following restoration took part in the 1975 Rail 150 celebrations at Shildon.[1]

In May 1977, 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 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.[4] It also acquired the nicknames ‘Ratbag Hall’ and 'Raving Mad Hall'.

During that time it also featured in TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway, such as Surprise Surprise (1984) and Virtual Murder (1992).

While at the SVR Raveningham Hall recorded 69,392 miles as follows:

Year Mileage
1977 380
1978 2,540
1979 3,890
1980 2,300
1981 2,382
1983 115
1984 7,261
1985 6,224
1986 5,514
1987 7,527
1988 4,798
1989 5,144
1990 2,922
1991 8,419
1992 5,399
1993 3,016
1995 51
1996 1,510
Total 69,392

Following a decision by the owner to sell the locomotive, 6960 left the Severn Valley Railway in late 1996, initially moving to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.[5] 6960 is now based at the West Somerset Railway. In 2019 an agreement was reached to send 7802 to the WSR between May and October with Raveningham Hall coming to the SVR for a similar period, including the Autumn Steam Gala.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 SVR Stock Book Eighth Edition
  2. ↑ BRDatabase
  3. ↑ Beckett & Hardingham (2010) p. 74.
  4. ↑ SVR News 48
  5. ↑ Severn Valley Railway News 121,p. 20.
  6. ↑ NBI 21 May 2019

Links

Locomotive Services Ltd's website 'Icons of Steam'
'Preserved GWR Modified Hall Class locomotives' on Wikipedia

Steam Locomotives formerly resident on the SVR
GWR
LMS
SR
LNER
BR Standard
Pre-grouping
WD, Industrial, and Foreign
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E1682 is a BRBritish Rail or British Railways Mk 1 Buffet Restaurant carriage. It was acquired by the SVRSevern Valley Railway (BRBritish Rail or British Railways) Buffet Car Fund in 1981 and used for many years on the Severn Valley Venturer dining service. (Full article...)
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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.

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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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