The 4150 Fund was launched in March 1973 to purchase GWR 2‑6‑2T No 4150 from Barry Scrapyard, for the price of £2,750.
4150 left Barry in 1974 and in company with 7812 Erlestoke Manor was towed by Class 25 diesel to the Dean Forest Railway at Parkend. However site difficulties meant no work took place, and led to the Fund deciding to move the locomotive to the SVR. The move to Bewdley took place in January 1978, again by rail.
Restoration began after a period in storage, but by the mid-80s fund raising and restoration progress had slowed. In 2007 a new committee was formed to restart and complete the restoration. Since then, progress has continued steadily on the ‘bottom end’, including the fabrication of new bunker and tanks which were lifted onto the frames, and the boiler removed, in March 2017.
The boiler is the major remaining task before 4150 can return to steam. As of April 2017[update] the boiler stands on GWR 40554 Chaired Sleeper Wagon. The boiler will be taken to Bridgnorth boiler shop later in 2017 while the Fund will continue working on the rest at Bewdley.
See Also
- List of preservation groups
- Peep Behind the Scenes, an annual fundraising event organised until 2016 by the 4150 Fund