BR 3MT 82045

BR 3MT 82045
A member of 82045's class, BR 3MT 82009, on the SVR in 1959
Built By	82045 Steam Locomotive Trust, Bridgnorth
Configuration	2-6-2T
Power class	3MT
Status	Under construction
Loco Number	82045
History
Built	Under construction
Designed By	Robert Riddles
Type	BR Standard 3MT Tank
1998	82045 project began
Technical
Length	40ft 10½"
Weight	74t 1cwt
Tractive effort	21,490 lb
Pressure	200 lb/sq in
Steam Locomotives

The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust is building a new locomotive of the Riddles BR 3MT 2‑6‑2T class, none of which survived into preservation. A number of members of this class of tank engines hauled services on the SVR during the BR era.

The 82xxx class

Most of the ‘BR Standards’ were essentially a development of the similar LMS type. However while the 3MT 2‑6‑2T chassis design was closely based on the LMS Ivatt Class 4, the boiler design was derived from the GWR No. 2 boiler as fitted to the GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2T.

45 of these locomotives, numbered 82000-82044, were built at BR’s Swindon works between 1952 and 1955. All 45 began service in lined black livery, but many of those that worked on the BR Western Region were later repainted in lined green or latterly in unlined green livery.

A further 18 of the class were to have been built, but the order for these was cancelled as part of BR’s Modernisation Plan. The closure of branch lines such as the Severn Valley and the replacement of steam by DMU services ultimately led to the withdrawal from service of those already built. None survived into preservation.

New build locomotive 82045

82045 at Bridgnorth, March 2019

The locomotive is being constructed at Bridgnorth Loco Works. It has been given the number 82045, which would have been allocated to the next class member had the Modernisation Plan not intervened. 82045's frame plates arrived at the SVR in 23 April 2007.

Progress

Progress on construction at March 2019 can be seen in the picture (right). The Trust issues news updates on its website with progress reports. After over a decade of working in the open, 82045 was moved into the Works on 23 January 2019.

The SVR want 82045 in service as soon as possible, and the Trust decided to put more work out to contract. In July 2022 it reached an in-principle agreement with SVR Engineering (ESMP) to contract some work to the Railway, using ESMP’s resources to add to the Trust’s volunteering efforts.

The boiler and firebox are being assembled at boiler shop. Earlier, the project was one of those that suffered in 2011 from the theft of copper sheets that had been cut to size for the firebox.

On 17 April 2018, 82045 became a rolling chassis when the locomotive was wheeled at Bridgnorth.

On 23 October 2021 the SVR released a video on its YouTube channel, 'Resurrecting a lost class with 82045' in which the Trust hoped for a completion date of 'later in 2023'.

On 6 December 2021 it became a 2-6-2 for the first time, when fitted with its front and rear pony trucks. On 3 June 2024 the shell of the partly assembled firebox, boiler and smokebox was lowered into the frames for the first time, for a successful 'trial fit'. It was then removed for further work towards completion.

The Trust has also sourced some common components with the Bluebell Railway Standard Class 2 Project which is building BR Class 2MT 2-6-2 Tank Locomotive No 84030.

In 2011 the project was the beneficiary of SVRA's 'Cylinders for 82045' raffle. Including donations the gross income was over £21.000 with a net surplus of around £17,000. In 2016 it was the Guarantee Company's "Slidebars and Crossheads" raffle which, in combination with an appeal to shareholders and further boosted by cash donations, generated over £30,000 for 82045.

In November 2022 it was the locomotive centrepiece at the National Model Railway show at the NEC organised by the Warley Model Railway Club.

During May 2024 the boiler barrel (still very much an empty shell), firebox and smokebox were fitted together with temporary bolts. On 3 June 2024 the new boiler was successfully trial-fitted into the locomotive frames for the first time. After a small amount of adjustment, it was removed from the frames for further work towards completion, including the final joining of the barrel to the firebox and smokebox. In February 2025 the Trust announced that the boiler was mechanically complete, having been delivered to both cost and time targets. Water was placed in the boiler for the first time on Friday 7 February, marking the start of the testing and certification process.

In February 2024 the Trust still planned to launch in 2025, but "there may not be a demand for the locomotive to form part of the fleet [as the] SVR may be planning an operational fleet of as few as 5 locomotives". Comments at the AGM and social media posts since have suggested that a return in 2026 is more likely.

Livery

The Trust’s website notes that "As 82045 was destined for the WR had it been built as planned in 1956, it was decided that the loco when finished should appear in the attractive Swindon-inspired livery of dark green, lined out in orange and black. A subsequent repaint into lined black hasn't been ruled out, though."

Model

In 2018 the Trust produced a limited number of models of 82045.

• 

  82045 model in BR Green

• 

  82045 model in BR Black

Gallery

• 

  82045 at Bridgnorth in February 2016

• 

  New driving wheels

See also

• List of steam locomotives on the SVR
• The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust
• Locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service
• Classes of locomotives used on the Severn Valley Branch in commercial service

Links

• The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust web site
• BR Standard Class 3 2-6-2T on Wikipedia
• The Bluebell Railway Standard Class 2 Project
• 'Resurrecting a lost class with 82045' on SVR's YouTube channel

British Rail or British Railways

The 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.

Severn Valley Railway

Robert Arthur "Robin" Riddles, Member of the Railway Executive for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering responsible for the design of the British Rail Standard Class locomotives

London Midland & Scottish Railway

Great Western Railway

Diesel Multiple Unit

Engineering Services, Motive Power.

The 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.

Severn Valley Railway Association

Southern Railway

London & North Eastern Railway