Difference between revisions of "GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor"

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(7812 Erlestoke Manor in preservation)
(7812 Erlestoke Manor in preservation: mileage)
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On 26 August 2016, the engine emulated sister Bradley Manor by achieving 100,000 miles of running in preservation, the event being commemorated with a special headboard announcing "Still going strong -- 100,000 miles".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/1083453811732320 SVR Official Facebook Page], "Erlestoke Manor strikes gold", retrieved 30/08/2016</ref> In March 2017 the tender was fitted with a set of "goal posts".  These were used in the early 1960s to warn train crew working "under the wires" on newly electrified lines.  The addition has been made so that 7812 was in near-1965 condition during her final year in traffic.<ref>Erlestoke Manor Fund Twitter feed</ref>  Erlestoke Manor's 10 year 'ticket' expired at the end of 2017 and she moved to Tyseley for overhaul to commence on 4 January 2018.  The Erlestoke Manor Fund's goal is "''To overhaul Erlestoke Manor 7812 during 2018 and 2019 for its return to service in 2020''" and space has been reserved at Tyseley for some of the work to take place there.<ref>[http://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/about-us/our-goals/ EMF Web site 'Our Goals and Objectives' page]</ref>
 
On 26 August 2016, the engine emulated sister Bradley Manor by achieving 100,000 miles of running in preservation, the event being commemorated with a special headboard announcing "Still going strong -- 100,000 miles".<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/svrofficial/posts/1083453811732320 SVR Official Facebook Page], "Erlestoke Manor strikes gold", retrieved 30/08/2016</ref> In March 2017 the tender was fitted with a set of "goal posts".  These were used in the early 1960s to warn train crew working "under the wires" on newly electrified lines.  The addition has been made so that 7812 was in near-1965 condition during her final year in traffic.<ref>Erlestoke Manor Fund Twitter feed</ref>  Erlestoke Manor's 10 year 'ticket' expired at the end of 2017 and she moved to Tyseley for overhaul to commence on 4 January 2018.  The Erlestoke Manor Fund's goal is "''To overhaul Erlestoke Manor 7812 during 2018 and 2019 for its return to service in 2020''" and space has been reserved at Tyseley for some of the work to take place there.<ref>[http://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/about-us/our-goals/ EMF Web site 'Our Goals and Objectives' page]</ref>
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At the end of 2019, 7812 had recorded a total of 110,743 miles in preservation on the SVR. The reported total may include mileage on the main line and on hire to other railways<ref>SVR News 210, SVR-based Steam Locomotive Mileage 2017-2019, Duncan Ballard</ref>.
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==

Revision as of 16:16, 13 July 2020

GWRGreat Western Railway 7812 Erlestoke Manor
7812AY.jpg
7812 Erlestoke Manor entering Arley with a DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) train, July 2011
Built By GWRGreat Western Railway Swindon Works
Configuration 4-6-0
Power class GWRGreat Western Railway: D, BRBritish Rail or British Railways: 5MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic.
Axle load class GWRGreat Western Railway: Blue
Status In Service
Loco Number 7812
History
Built 1939
Designed By Charles Benjamin CollettCharles Benjamin Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1922-1941
Type GWRGreat Western Railway 7800
1974 Purchased by The Erlestoke Manor Fund
1979 First steamed in preservation
1985 Withdrawn for overhaul
2008 Reentered service
2017 Withdrawn for overhaul
Technical
Length 61ft 9¼"
Weight 68t 18cwt
Tractive effort 27,340 lb
Pressure 225 lb/sq in

Steam Locomotives

7812 Erlestoke Manor is a GWRGreat Western Railway CollettCharles Benjamin Collett, Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) of the Great Western Railway 1922-1941 7800 Manor class 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotive. The Manor Class 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotive was designed as a lighter version of the GWRGreat Western Railway Grange Class, giving a wider Route Availability. The first 20, including all three at the SVRSevern Valley Railway, were built between 1938 and 1939 and incorporated parts from old GWRGreat Western Railway 4300 Class Moguls. BRBritish Rail or British Railways built a further 10 in 1950 and rated the class 5MTThe British Railways system of classifying steam locomotives by power using a number from 0, least powerful, to 9, most powerful, followed by either F for freight, P for Passenger or MT for Mixed Traffic..

7812 Erlestoke Manor in service

7812 Erlestoke Manor is one of three Manor class locomotives based at the SVRSevern Valley Railway, the others being 7802 Bradley Manor and 7819 Hinton Manor. 7812 was named after the Manor at Erlestoke, a village near Devizes in Wiltshire. It entered service in January 1939 in the Bristol/Bath area, working passenger and freight trains to places such as Salisbury, Weymouth, Weston Super Mare and Cardiff. Post-War, 7812 was based in the far South-West, often assisting with long distance expresses on the notorious ‘Devon banks’.

In late 1960, 7812 moved to the Oswestry/Shrewsbury/Cambrian area where 7802 Bradley Manor was already working. Both locomotives were thought to have been withdrawn at Shrewsbury on 6th November 1965, and both moved to Woodham’s scrapyard at BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. in June 1966. However, in November 2015, evidence in the form of a footplate diary (see below) was presented to the Erlestoke Manor Fund, indicating that Erlestoke Manor was still in service on 13th November 1965.

7812 Erlestoke Manor in preservation

Both 7812 and 7802 were acquired from BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. by The Erlestoke Manor Fund. 7812 was the 56th locomotive to leave BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. for preservation, departing in May 1974 initially to Parkend and then to the now-closed Ashchurch preservation near Tewkesbury.[1]

A move to the SVRSevern Valley Railway followed on 23 April 1976, accompanied by two GWRGreat Western Railway breakdown vans numbers 66 and 162 and Fruit D 92090. Restoration of 7812 quickly began at Bewdley, where the locomotive was one of 5 to participate in the ‘great boiler lift’ on 3 May 1976.[2]

Restoration was completed in time for 7812 to enter service on the SVRSevern Valley Railway in September 1979.[3] Service continued during 1980, but in Spring 1981 the locomotive was failed with boiler tube issues.[4]. These were addressed in time for a return to service in Spring 1982,[5] following which 7812 made several appearances on main line rail tours as follows:


Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVRSevern Valley Railway News
17 April 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Newport - Hereford D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall 64-28
24 April 1982 Welsh Marches Pullman Shrewsbury - Hereford D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall SBJ 64-29
5 May 1982 Welsh Marches Express Hereford - Chester 66-9
5 June 1982 Shrewsbury-Newport D/H with 43106
For further information on sources and references, see The Severn Valley Railway on the main line

7812 appeared in the 1983 TV movie The Weather In The Streets. The locomotive was withdrawn from service in late 1985 with a large crack in an old firebox weld.[6] Following the withdrawal of sister locomotive 7802 Bradley Manor during the 2000 boiler crisis[7], the decision was taken to use Erlestoke’s repaired boiler and refurbished bogie to allow Bradley Manor to make a quick return to service.[8] A similar swap took place during April 1948 when boiler number 14/6406 was removed from Erlestoke and later fitted to Bradley in November 1948 following repair.[9]

In due course, Erlestoke Manor’s own overhaul was completed in time for a return to service in 2008, attached to a new 3,500 gallon well tank tender constructed using parts and wheelsets from an old tender.[10]

On Thursday 24 May 2012 the Olympic Torch arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. 7812 Erlestoke Manor carried the torch between Bewdley and Kidderminster, pausing for a photo opportunity with Bewdley Safari Park’s elephants.

On 29 August 2012 Erlestoke Manor masqueraded as sister GWR 7802 Bradley Manor and was given a Bradley Wiggins-style makeover with a coat of gold paint and sideburns in honour of Team GB's success at London 2012 Olympics[11].

7812 Erlestoke Manor with gold smokebox


On 26 August 2016, the engine emulated sister Bradley Manor by achieving 100,000 miles of running in preservation, the event being commemorated with a special headboard announcing "Still going strong -- 100,000 miles".[12] In March 2017 the tender was fitted with a set of "goal posts". These were used in the early 1960s to warn train crew working "under the wires" on newly electrified lines. The addition has been made so that 7812 was in near-1965 condition during her final year in traffic.[13] Erlestoke Manor's 10 year 'ticket' expired at the end of 2017 and she moved to Tyseley for overhaul to commence on 4 January 2018. The Erlestoke Manor Fund's goal is "To overhaul Erlestoke Manor 7812 during 2018 and 2019 for its return to service in 2020" and space has been reserved at Tyseley for some of the work to take place there.[14]

At the end of 2019, 7812 had recorded a total of 110,743 miles in preservation on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. The reported total may include mileage on the main line and on hire to other railways[15].

Gallery

See also

References

  1. The BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. Story, Beckett & Hardingham (2010)
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 40
  3. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 53
  4. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 59
  5. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 63
  6. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 78
  7. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 134
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 136, 208
  9. EMF History
  10. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 208
  11. Midlands Business News, 29 August 2012
  12. SVR Official Facebook Page, "Erlestoke Manor strikes gold", retrieved 30/08/2016
  13. Erlestoke Manor Fund Twitter feed
  14. EMF Web site 'Our Goals and Objectives' page
  15. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 210, SVRSevern Valley Railway-based Steam Locomotive Mileage 2017-2019, Duncan Ballard

Links