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'''5164''' is a '''GWR Collett 5101 class 2-6-2T 'Large Prairie''''. The 5101 Class was an updated version by CB Collett of Churchward's 1903 3100/5100 Class. Built from 1929 to 1949, these medium-sized tank engines were used all over the GWR network for suburban and local passenger and local freight services. Their increased axle loading of 17 tons 12 cwt was the maximum permitted for [[GWR Power and Weight Classification | 'Blue' route availability]], while their [[GWR Power and Weight Classification|power class]] was rated D (GWR) and 4MT (BR). A total of 140 were produced; after available numbers in the 51xx range were exhausted were exhausted, later examples were numbered in the 41xx range.
A number of the class were allocated to the sheds at [[Worcester]], [[Kidderminster Shed|Kidderminster]], Stourbridge and [[Shrewsbury#Shrewsbury Shed|Shrewsbury]] from where they were [[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|regularly used on the Severn Valley Branch ]] on both freight and passenger services after the 1950s. Other examples from Wolverhampton Stafford Road and Tyseley were also seen on the Branch from time to time.<ref name=SVR20>SVR News 20</ref> The pictures below show classmates 4114 preparing to leave [[Bridgnorth ]] with a passenger service for Shrewsbury in July 1959, 4175 with an Up goods at [[Bewdley ]] in April 1962, and 4153 on the coaling road at Kidderminster Shed (undated). Other class members photographed in use on the branch include 4100 in 1955,<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Mitchell and Smith (2007)]] fig. 98.</ref> and 4129<ref>SVR News 16, photo by Brian Moone)</ref>. The SVR's [[GWR Large Prairie 4150|4150]] is also a member of the class and having entered service at Stourbridge in 1947, may also have worked on the branch although no photographs are known to exist.
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===First boiler ticket===
Restoration took place at Bewdley, with a team led by Pete Simpson. By September 1974 the engine had been completely stripped down. The tyres all needed reprofiling which, if done, would have left sufficient material for one further turning. However with a loose tyre having brought about the locomotive's withdrawal from service, the decision was taken to replace all the tyres, the work being carried out by the BSC Railway Materials Division at Rotherham. The tanks and bunker were overhauled by Wagon Repairs Ltd of Stoke-on-Trent. The boiler was refitted on 3 May 1976 as part of the [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1976|'150 ton big lift']] which saw the lifting of 5 boilers and 2 frames in a single day.<ref>SVR News 40</ref> 5164 was not steamed until 20 October 1979, by which time the entire restoration was effectively complete, as by the following week the locomotive had moved to Bridgnorth ready for use on that December's Bridgnorth to [[Hampton Loade ]] [[Christmas services]]. It formally entered service in December, performing faultlessly and recording the highest mileage of the three locomotives used.<ref>SVR News 54, 55</ref>
5164 was taken out of service in late summer 1980 for some 'finishing touches' and a full repaint.<ref>SVR News 56</ref> Retuning to service in 1981, the locomotive suffered some frost damage during the following winter<ref>SVR News 63</ref> but continued in service until being withdrawn due to tube failures in July 1984.<ref>SVR News 73</ref> Mileage recorded during the first boiler ticket was as follows:<ref>SVR News 152 pp. 24-25</ref>
===Current status===
Following withdrawal, 5164 resumed its place in the SVR's 'overhaul queue'. In March 2014 it was moved to the Barrow Hill Roundhouse Railway Centre,<ref>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=964 SVR-Online forum thread 'GWR 2-6-2T 5164'] (Retrieved 14 February 2017)</ref><ref>[http://www.barrowhill.org/collections.html Barrow Hill Roundhouse] (Retrieved 26 January 2020)</ref> where it could be stored under cover as a static exhibit. While there it was cared for by members of the owning group, The 5164 Preservation Group. However the Group was an unincorporated organisation with a small and diminishing group of shareholders. In 2020 the remaining shareholders agreed to offer the locomotive to the [[The Erlestoke Manor Fund]] for a nominal sum in order to secure the locomotive’s future within an incorporated, charitable organisation strongly affiliated to the SVR.<ref>EMF Newsletter no 75 August 2020</ref>. After negotiations between the Group, the EMF and the SVR, the transfer of ownership to the EMF for a nominal sum was completed in November 2021.<ref>EMF Newsletter no 78, November 2021</ref> In January 2022 the EMF announced that their members had agreed to a change of the Fund's Articles, allowing fund raising for an overhaul to begin.<ref>[https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/announcement-emf-shareholders-approve-proposal-to-restore-5164-to-steam / EMF Announcement January 2022]</ref> In July 2022 the EMF Shareholders approve proposal announced the launch of an appeal to raise funds to return 5164 to service<ref>[https://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/the-big-large-prairie-appeal-returning-5164-to restore -service/ EMF: ''The Big "Large Prairie" Appeal – Returning 5164 to steam!|service''] (retrieved 1 August 2022)</ref>.
==Film and television==
==See also==
*[[Steam Locomotives]]
*[[ GWR Large Prairie 4141]] (classmate resident on the SVR between 1973 and 1988, left before restoration was completed)
*[[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events]]<br>
*[[Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service|Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service]]
