GWR 7819 Hinton Manor

GWR 7819 Hinton Manor
7819 20180825.jpg
7819 Hinton Manor at Kidderminster, August 2018
Built By GWR Swindon Works
Configuration 4-6-0
Power class GWR: D, BR: 5MT
Axle load class GWR: Blue
Status Awaiting overhaul
Loco Number 7819
History
Built 1938
Designed By Charles Benjamin Collett
Type GWR 7800
1973 Purchased by The Hinton Manor Fund
1977 First steamed in preservation
1995 Withdrawn for overhaul
Technical
Length 61ft 9¼"
Weight 68t 18cwt
Tractive effort 27,340 lb
Pressure 225 lb/sq in

Steam Locomotives

7819 Hinton Manor on display in Swindon in 2011

7819 Hinton Manor is one of three GWR Collett 7800 Manor class 4-6-0 mixed traffic locomotives based at the SVR, the others being 7802 Bradley Manor and 7812 Erlestoke Manor.

The Manor Class was designed as a lighter version of the GWR Grange Class, giving a wider Route Availability. They were one of the classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service, although mainly for freight as by the time they were introduced, passenger services mostly used tank engines and diesel railcars. Hinton Manor was the last of the first batch of 20 Manors (including 7802 and 7812) which were built between 1938 and 1939 and incorporated parts from old GWR 4300 Class moguls. BR altered the draughting arrangements in the 1950s, resulting in a narrower chimney. They also built a further 10 in 1950, and rated the class 5MT.

Contents

7819 Hinton Manor in service

7819 was named after the manor house at Hinton Waldrist near Oxford. Built in 1939, 7819 began life at Carmarthen, moving to Oswestry in July 1943. Apart from periodic transfers to Whitchurch, this remained 7819’s principal home for the next 20 years.

In March 1963 7819 moved to Machynlleth. The following month 7819 took part in a Ffestiniog Railway Society rail tour on 20-21 April, working sections between Ruabon, Minffordd and Shrewsbury.[1] 7819 regularly headed the ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ from Shrewsbury and on 10 August 1963 double-headed the Royal Train with 7822 for HM The Queen's visit to Pwllheli.

7819 moved to Shrewsbury in January 1965, before being withdrawn by BR at the end of the same year.

7819 Hinton Manor in preservation

7819 was purchased from Barry Scrapyard by the Hinton Manor Fund (of which the SVR Wolverhampton Branch was the major shareholder), with SVR Company help. The locomotive arrived at the SVR in a convoy from Barry Scrapyard on 6 January 1973 which also brought 4930 Hagley Hall, 5164 and 4141.

Restoration and first boiler ticket

A small team led by Ray Tranter carried out the restoration at Bewdley. After lifting from the frames, the boiler had three quarters of the tubes replaced and two firebox stays changed, while the smokebox fittings were renovated, including repairs to the blower ring, regulator box and superheater header. The frames were jacked up to release the driving-wheels and bogie. One axlebox required re-metalling and re-profiling. The bogie was completely stripped down and repairs to one axlebox carried out. The boiler and frames were reunited on 3rd May 1976.[2].

In spring 1977 a raffle organised by the SVRA Wolverhampton Branch was held to raise funds to buy fittings and restore the tender.[3]. The first steam test, a return trip to Bridgnorth in June 1977, revealed that the valve chests were not parallel. Both valve chests were re-bored with equipment borrowed from the Dart Valley Railway and the Standard Gauge Steam Trust. After a further steam test on 7 September 1977 acting as pilot to 47383 on a service train, restoration was completed (albeit with cab fittings borrowed from 1501 and the tender from 3205 when Hinton Manor made her debut in traffic at the Autumn enthusiasts' weekend.

Hinton Manor performed regularly during 1978 and 1979, topping the mileage charts during the latter year. On 5 May 1979 the SVR hosted its first ever incoming BR rail excursion, a Monmouthshire Railway Society tour from Cardiff, for which 7819 took the 10 BR Mk1 coaches forward from Bewdley to Bridgnorth.[4]

7819 took part in the filming of the "Fire on the Line", the third part of the God's Wonderful Railway trilogy first broadcast in March 1980.

Over the winter of 1979-80 the restoration of Hinton Manor's own tender and cab fittings was completed. The locomotive was also repainted in Hawksworth style GWR green lined livery at the request of the organisers of an international steam festival at Dusseldorf (subsequently cancelled).[5] Service continued through 1980, but in June 1981 7819 burst a small boiler tube. Examination revealed other burst and weak tubes, surprisingly mostly those replaced during restoration and not the remaining ex-BR ones. Hinton Manor was withdrawn from traffic and joined the queue of locomotives awaiting major overhaul.

Overhaul and second boiler ticket

By spring 1984 it had been decided that Hinton Manor would take part in the following year's GWR 150 celebrations, starting with an excursion double-headed with 6000 King George V from Bristol to Plymouth on Easter Sunday 7 April and the return leg on the Bank Holiday Monday. The overhaul now had a tight timetable and was once again led by Ray Tranter. Dismantling began in earnest, with the boiler lift taking place on 27 August. The boiler was completely re-tubed, and all the side stays and two crown stays in the firebox renewed. Other firebox repairs included some copper inserts and attention to the throat plate. In the meantime the frames were stripped down to component parts. All the axle boxes received new crown bushes and were metalled and machined. The motion and brake gear were completely overhauled. New valves were fitted and new pistons after the cylinders had been re-bored. On 23 February 1985 the boiler was lifted back onto the frames. The successful steam test took place on 8 March with Hinton Manor piloting 6960 Raveningham Hall. The overhaul had broken two records for the Railway, the fastest overhaul ever carried out (taking only nine months) and the quickest steaming of an overhauled locomotive after the boiler was replaced in the frames (twelve days).[2] It was during this overhaul that 7819 was christened "Trant's Babby" by the MPD staff, because of the care and attention that he lavished upon her.[6]

After final painting (in BR black lined livery, with early crest and red backed name and number plates) and test running, Hinton Manor left Bridgnorth for Hereford on Saturday 6 April 1985 to join up with the King and continue to Bristol. On the way there a hot box was found on the tender, so on arrival at Hereford a call was made and a tender axle box bearing was removed from 3205 (not in traffic at that time) and rushed to Hereford by road. Attempts to remove the faulty bearing ran out of time so the replacement bearing and tools were thrown in the support coach. Both locomotives then continued to Bristol for the overnight stop, where the troublesome box now appeared to be running satisfactorily. During the following day's run from Bristol to Plymouth the King suffered a similar hot box and was failed at Taunton. 7819 continued over the Devon banks banked by two class 37s but suffered another hot tender axle box and was failed in turn at Exeter. While there, the announcement was made that 4930 Hagley Hall was being dispatched from the SVR to travel overnight to Plymouth to provide some steam haulage on the return leg. Ray Tranter and others then decided to try to install the spare bearing in the yard at Exeter so Hinton Manor could also participate. The job was completed with the aid of hydraulic jacks brought up from Plymouth, allowing Hinton Manor and support coach 6913 to leave for Plymouth late on Sunday night where they were joined by Hagley Hall at around 4:00am. On the Bank Holiday Monday return, the SVR locos successfully climbed the South Devon Banks with their 485 ton train and reached Bristol nine minutes ahead of time.[6]

After restoration in 1979, 7819 was a prolific performer in the years that followed both on the SVR and the main line. The latter included the GW150 celebrations in 1985, when 7819 travelled to Plymouth, Swindon, Avonmouth and Newport, and also the 1987 Cambrian Cardigan Bay Express special service steam services between Machynlleth and Pwllheli where 7819 became the first steam locomotive in more than 20 years to haul a passenger service on this section of the Cambrian Coast Line. A full list of main line appearances is given below.

Date Tour name Route Notes Web SVR News
07 Apr 1985 Great Western Limited Bristol - Taunton (1) - Tiverton Jn(2) - Exeter St Davids(3) - Plymouth(4) (1)D/H with 6000, (2)Solo, (3)Diesel Assisted, (4)L/E SBJ 76-12
08 Apr 1985 Great Western Limited Plymouth - Bristol Temple Meads D/H with 4930 Hagley Hall SBJ 76-12
26 May 1985 GW150 Portishead Shuttles Bristol Temple Meads - Portishead return Hauled first Steam Special on Spring Bank Holiday weekend 80-40
13 Aug 1985 GW150 Celebrations Excursions Swindon Gloucester - Swindon Various other runs around this time (pool of 7 locos used) SBJ
21 Aug 1985 GW150 Celebrations Excursions Swindon Gloucester - Swindon
24 May 1987 Machynlleth - Barmouth + return Supplement to longer railtour 86-37
25 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 85-33
26 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-33
27 May 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 85-33
31 May 1987 Barmouth Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return Supplement to longer railtour SBJ 85-33
20 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 86-38
21 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-11
22 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 85-11
26 Jul 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Pwllheli + return 85-11
02 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ 86-39
16 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Aberystwyth + return 86-39
18 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ
John Hill's Facebook post 21 February 2020
19 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 86-40
23 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ
30 Aug 1987 Cardigan Bay Express Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 SBJ
16 Jun 1991 Cambrian Limited Shrewsbury - Barmouth (75069 worked the return leg) SBJ 100-38
23 Jun 1991 Cambrian Limited Shrewsbury - Barmouth (75069 worked the return leg) SBJ 100-38
22 Sep 1991  ?? Via Talerddig Videoscene
29 Sep 1991 Shrewsbury-Machynlleth Videoscene, Mainline 91 Volume 2 101-25
For further information on sources and references, see The Severn Valley Railway on the main line

In 1990 7819 conveyed HRH The Duke of Gloucester from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth for the official opening of the railway's boiler repair shop. The Duke drove 7819 for part of the journey. The locomotive also made the first operational entry into platform 2 at Kidderminster when it was brought into use on 25 November of that year.[7]

7819 featured in an episode of the BBC drama series The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries broadcast in 1993.

Following a loan to the Nene Valley Railway in 1994, 7819 was placed in storage awaiting major repairs on 7 January 1995. After a period in store in the open the locomotive was cosmetically restored and placed on static display in the McArthurGlen shopping complex, Swindon. It returned to the SVR on 21 August 2018 and moved to static display at The Engine House in March 2019.[8] The 'footplate' is accessible to allow visitors to climb aboard and learn how to operate a steam locomotive, and for weddings and civil ceremonies.

The locomotive was owned by the Hinton Manor Fund of which SVR Wolverhampton Branch was the major shareholder. It is now owned by The SVR Charitable Trust, having been formally transferred from the Hinton Manor Fund for a nominal sum in April 2004.[9]

Preparations for overhaul

A new set of tyres is in storage, in readiness for the restoration.[10]

The 'Friends of Hinton Manor' launched an appeal on 20 September 2008 to raise money for 7819's overhaul.

The Wolverhampton Branch was the sponsor of the 2010 Autumn SVR raffle which was called "Fittings Fit for a Manor" to overhaul or replace worn out cab fittings as appropriate.[11] July 2010 saw the publication of Wolverhampton's Railways in Colour, with a sequel Wolverhampton's Railways in Colour, with profits going towards this cause. The branch also produced a model of a Wolverhampton Stafford Road Brake Van in OO and a limited edition watercolour print of 7819 on Talerdigg bank.[12]

The Charitable Trust appealed for funds to return the locomotive to service, although it no longer features on the website list of active appeals. As of 30 June 2022 it holds restricted funds of £19,989[13].

See also

References

  1. Six Bells Junction
  2. 2.0 2.1 SVR News 80
  3. SVR News 45
  4. SVR News 52
  5. SVR News 55
  6. 6.0 6.1 SVR News 162, "Ray Tranter's Dream, a tribute", Martin White
  7. SVR News 198
  8. 'Platform' magazine, 2018 Issue 4, p.7
  9. SVR News 147 and SVR Wolverhampton Branch (retrieved 6 January 2017)
  10. Express Points, September 2018 (Retrieved 7 December 2020)
  11. 7819 Hinton Manor Branch Support, SVRA Wolverhampton Branch website (Retrieved 23 March 2019)
  12. SVR Wolverhampton Branch website (Retrieved 7 December 2020)
  13. SVR Charitable Trust accounts at Companies House (Retrieved 29 February 2023)

Links

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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
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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.

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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