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The LMS Ivatt Class 2 was designed by H.G. (George) Ivatt for work on secondary and branch line duties. Locomotives of this class were often referred to as a "Mickey Mouse". It is a 2-6-0 'Mogul', rated 2MT by BR following nationalisation.
==Service==No 46521 was one of the final batch of these locomotives built by BR at the Swindon works in 1953. The Swindon batch incorporated certain modifications over the earlier versions (of which the SVR’s [[LMS Ivatt Class 2 46443 | 46443]] is a 1950 Crewe-built example), including an increase of ½in cylinder diameter, blast pipe modifications and a taller chimney.
46521 had a working life with BR of just 13 years, based around the Cambrian area including where it carried BR Green livery fully lined out in orange and black. Service began at Oswestryon 19 February 1953, followed by a move to Brecon the following month. In October 1959 returned to Oswestry, and in March 1963 was allocated to Machynlleth, before undergoing a heavy overhaul at Crewe between 30 April and 1 June 1963. The Following that overhaul, the locomotive was involved a three-day visit to North Wales by the in August 1963, its duties being positioning moves and overnight steam heating of the Royal Train stock. 46521 did not run many more miles before being withdrawn by BR in November 1966 and moved to [[Barry Scrapyard]] in March 1967.
==Preservation=====Restoration and first boiler ticket===In 1969 46521 was selected for preservation by SVR member Charles Newton. The locomotive arrived at Work started on the external restoration immediately after the SVR purchase was completed on 20 March 1971 and entered service in 25 July 19741970, becoming including wire brushing and repainting to protect the SVR’s first ex-Barry restoration to be completedlocomotive from further rust. The locomotive initially Much work was also carried out on the same green livery in which it finished BR serviceaxle boxes, although in 1975 both 46421 and 46443 were painted into red livery and given modified superstructures for filming of with the assistance from the team working on [[The Seven-Per-Cent Solution80079]]. , to ensure that 46521 was eventually withdrawn could be safely moved from service Barry to the SVR by rail. The move took place on 20 March 1971 in 1977 for major boiler repairsa special freight hauled by BR Type 4 No 1678. Following completion of <ref group="note">On the overhaulday, the planned route was closed to all traffic by a second period derailment north of service commenced, this time ending in 1985Gloucester. A third period Cardiff Control were contacted and Paddington eventually agreed to a late change of service began in 1991route via Hereford.</ref> On arrival at Bewdley, during which 46521 spent the summer of 1993 on hire was hauled to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam RailwayBridgnorth by [[45110]], as well as taking part in the London Underground ‘Steam on the Met’ festival the same year. 46521 also featured as ‘Blossom’ in the BBC sitcom with goods rolling stock providing separation to ensure compliance with weight restrictions over [[Oh, Doctor Beeching!Victoria Bridge]], which was filmed between 1995 and 1997. 46521 was formally named ‘Blossom’ by actor Steven Lewis in a ceremony on 17 February 1997.46521’s third period of service ended in 2000<ref>SVR News 18, and the locomotive left the SVR in November 200119, moving to the Great Central Railway to join 78019 which had left two years earlier.20</ref>
Work continued through 1973, with 46521 becoming the subject of a £5 bet between SVR News Editor [[David Williams]] and Publicity Officer David Cooke on whether it would haul a revenue earning passenger service during 1974. Boosted by being chosen as the Locomotive Works 1973 'winter project', "''greatly to the astonishment of the owner who had just about despaired of ever receiving assistance''", the restoration was completed in time for David Cooke to collect his winnings on 14 July 1974.<ref>SVR News 31</ref> By doing so, 46521 became the SVR’s first ex-Barry restoration to be completed. 46521 initially carried the same fully lined green livery with BR late crest in which it finished BR service and was chosen to appear on the front cover of SVR News 34 Winter 1974-75 which marked the introduction of colour photographs.<ref name=SVR36>SVR News 36</ref>
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
S6890_ 46521_Bridgnorth_1974_David_Cooke.jpg | 46521 in the final stages of restoration is steamed at Bridgnorth circa July 1974 (David Cooke).
</gallery>
At the start of 1975 both crossheads were removed for remetalling. 46521 returned to service in May and became the first locomotive to work through the newly rebuilt passing loop at Arley with a return 'special'; the following weekend becoming the first to pass another locomotive there while hauling a passenger service, the 11.45 ex Bewdley on 25 May.<ref name=SVR36/> In August 1975 both 46521 and 46443 were taken out of regular traffic while being painted into red livery and given modified superstructures for filming of [[The Seven-Per-Cent Solution]]. Despite these periods out of passenger service, 46521 accumulated 4,510 miles, the greatest mileage of the SVR locos that year.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
S4672_Austrian_Locos.jpg | 46521 (nearer) and 46443 as Austrian locos (David Cooke)
</gallery>
Over winter 1975-76 46521 was repainted into BR lined green again, although on this occasion with the early 'cycling lion' crests.<ref>SVR News 39</ref> By summer it had been identified that the locomotive would need boiler involving changing two stays and attention to the foundation ring rivets,<ref>SVR News 40</ref> although service continued with 46521 again topping the year's mileages with 5,120 miles.
The boiler work was carried out in early 1976, involving a partial replacement of two flanges and new studs, as well as attention to the tubes, with the locomotive appearing in the 1976 [[Autumn Steam Gala]].<ref>SVR News 44-45</ref>. However at the end of the year 46521 became one of the 'victims' of a new boiler policy requiring complete re-tubing, flues and all, whenever the flues needed replacement and the locomotive was withdrawn from service major boiler repairs and an overhaul.<ref>SVR News 46</ref>
===Second boiler ticket===
The overhaul included attention to the axleboxes and the tyres being re-profiled on the newly commissioned wheel lathe.<ref>SVR News 47</ref> Plans for a return to service during 1979 were not met due to delays in the boiler work. 46521 was one of the locomotives requested in winter 1979 for the forthcoming [[Rocket 150]] celebrations in May 1980,<ref>SVR News 54</ref> but work was still in progress with [[3205]] participating instead.<ref>SVR News 56</ref> The overhaul which involved a complete rebuild in the Bridgnorth works, was the first such overhaul to be conducted by wholly by full time staff without volunteer input.<ref>SVR News 57</ref>
Following completion of the overhaul in autumn 1980, 46521 began a second period of service. The locomotive was again in BR green livery and was consequently becoming known on the Railway as the "Green Mouse"<ref>SVR News 67</ref> or the "Green Mickey"<ref>SVR News 159</ref> 46521 was well used during the early season, but by being teamed with the LMS set was also used on peak season services.<ref>SVR News 60</ref> During a cold spell in winter 1981-82, both Ivatt 2-6-0s 46521 and [[43106]] suffered extensively from burst pipes which had to be removed, repaired, refitted and tested.<ref>SVR News 63</ref>
In summer 1983 owner Charles Newton remarked to MPD Manager John Robinson that 46521 "''was not spot-on and sounded off-beat''". John reassured him that it was most likely a recently broken valve ring and not to worry as it would be examined, whereupon 46521 started forward, emitted a continuous roar the chimney and then expired with a sigh. A quick visit to the works for new piston rings resolved the problem.<ref>SVR News 68</ref>
Over winter 1984-85 46521 developed a crack issuing from a washout plug hole in the cab. Examination revealed it was an old crack from which BR's welding had dropped out, leading the Boiler Inspector (a Derby man) to remark that it "Must have been repaired at Crewe!"<ref>SVR News 74</ref> The crack was repaired with the locomotive resuming service in 1985, although suffering blown superheater elements in April and eventually being withdrawn with leaking tubes, initially for a 'quick repair'<ref>SVR News 17-78</ref>. However by summer 1986 further examination showed the boiler work required was much greater than first anticipated. Although little mechanical work was required apart from producing an expensive pattern to cast a new chimney 46552 joined the queue of locomotives awaiting overhaul.
===Third boiler ticket===
By autumn 1989 46521's boiler was ''well up in the "pecking order"'',<ref>SVR News 93</ref> Work on the heavy overhaul began to gather pace during 1990, with the locomotive completing 158 miles of test running in 1981 ahead of a full return to service for the 1992 season.<ref>SVR News 101, 102</ref>
In addition to service on the SVR in 1992, 46521 spent some time working on the main line. Successful test running took place between Eastleigh, Salisbury and Yeovil Junction with a 235 ton load, followed by two stints on the Twyford - Henley branch shuttles in November. At Network SouthEast's request, 46521 then hauled a 5-coach special to thank all concerned with the 1992 'Steam on the Met', entailing a trip on the LT system from Neasden to Amersham crewed by SVR volunteers and continuing to Ealing Broadway with BR crews. Finally on 12 December 46521 worked another 5-coach excursion, the 'Ivatt Mainline Xmas Special' from Didcot via Moreton-in-Marsh to Kidderminster.<ref>SVR News 105</ref>
46521 spent the summer of 1993 on hire to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. In 1995 46521 worked through the summer on shorter mid-week trains,<ref>SVR News 111-112</ref> before travelling south on the main line with 80079 in November for a series of 'Santa Specials' in the London area.<ref>SVR News 113</ref> The two locomotives worked a railtour from London back to the SVR on 1 January 1995 with 6024 King Edward I taking the return leg.<ref>SVR News 113</ref>
In spring 1995 46521 with a brake van was regularly used on driver experience courses for which more than 100 people signed up.<ref>SVR News 114</ref> On the Sunday of the Spring Steam Gala 46521 provided an unexpected sideshow by derailing on the Highley loop points, fortunately both the locomotive and trackwork emerged relatively unscathed.
Over winter and early spring 1996 the boiler was totally retubed and a new modified regulator similar to that in 46443 was also fitted. After returning to service 46521 was used in filming the first series of the BBC sitcom [[Oh Doctor Beeching!]] (a pilot episode having been filmed in 1995). The nine episodes were shot in May with 46521, which had been named 'Blossom' for the programme, hauling both passenger and goods trains.<ref>SVR News 119</ref> 46521 was formally named ‘Blossom’ by actor Steven Lewis in a ceremony at Kidderminster on 17 February 1997.<ref>SVR News 122</ref> A contract had also been signed for a second series of ten episodes to be filmed in May 1997. On 18 April the decision was taken to investigate the source of a steam leak on the left hand side of the foundation ring, requiring the removal of the boiler from the frames. Repairs to the foundation ring were carried out and reassembly completed in just 10 days. While filming at Highley on 17 May the leading tender wheel became derailed on the same points as two years earlier, again fortunately with no damage resulting<ref>SVR News 123</ref>.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Oh_Doctor_Beeching_Screenshot_Title.jpg
</gallery>
1998 saw service continue as normal. On 25 February 1999 an SVR milestone was achieved when a special charter train comprising 46521 and Hawksworth observation saloon 80969 ran from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth using a crew drawn entirely from volunteers born after the end of the BR steam era in 1968 (driver Jason Houlders, age 29, fireman Andrew Sweet, age 21, and guard John Price, age 19).<ref>SVR News 129</ref> At the end of 1999 46521 received a 'quick re-flueing' intended to last to the end of the '10-year ticket' in February 2001. In the event 46521’s third period of service ended at the end of 2000 having recorded a total of 84,031 miles since 1974. Full details of the mileage as recorded in SVR News can be found in the table below.
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! <b>Year</b> !! style="text-align:right;" | <b>Mileage</b>
|-
|Colspan="2" | First ticket
|-
| 1974 || style="text-align:right;" | 670
|-
| 1975 || style="text-align:right;" | 4,510
|-
| 1976 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,120
|-
| 1977 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,005
|-
|Colspan="2" | Second ticket
|-
| 1980 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,470
|-
| 1981 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,944
|-
| 1982 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,901
|-
| 1983 || style="text-align:right;" | 3,178
|-
| 1984 || style="text-align:right;" | 1,904
|-
| 1985 || style="text-align:right;" | 309
|-
|Colspan="2" | Third ticket
|-
| 1991 || style="text-align:right;" | 158
|-
| 1992 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,409
|-
| 1993 || style="text-align:right;" | 2,382
|-
| 1994 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,107
|-
| 1995 || style="text-align:right;" | 5,507
|-
| 1996 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,889
|-
| 1997 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,780
|-
| 1998 || style="text-align:right;" | 8,652
|-
| 1999 || style="text-align:right;" | 7,766
|-
| 2000 || style="text-align:right;" | 6,370
|-
| <b>Total</b> || style="text-align:right;" | 84,031
|}
===Departure===
Owner Charles Newton's other locomotive, [[78019]] had already left the SVR for the Great Central Railway in 1998 under a deal with Loughborough Standard Locomotives Group Ltd (LSLG) who became joint owners. After negotiations between Charles Newton and David Slack representing LSLG, 46521 was moved to the GCR for overhaul by LSLG in November, 2001 and is now owned in equal shares by LSLG and Charles Newton<ref>[http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/locomotives/46521-2/ 46521 on the GCR web site]</ref>.
46521 returned to the SVR as a guest engine during the [[Severn_Valley_Railway_Timeline_2010-2019#2015|2015 Autumn Steam Gala]].
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
46521_20150917.jpg|With a [[Demonstration Goods Train]]
46521_20150919.jpg|Departing Bridgnorth
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Former Residents]]*[[SVR-based locomotives visiting other events]] ==Notes==<references group="note"/>
==References==
<references/>
==Links==
*[http://www.gcrailway.co.uk/the-railway/locomotives/46521-2/ Great Central Railway 46521 web page] Retrieved 25 February 2015.*[https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=426003122&loco=46521 46521 on BRDatabase]*[https://youtu.be/BQzkLH-HHdM YouTube video of the Ivatt Mainline Xmas Special] {{FormerSteamNavbox}}[[Category:Featured articles]]
