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Consolidated all the 6959 design features into one place
|rating = GWR: D, BR: 5MT
|axleload = GWR: Red
|status = In serviceAwaiting overhaul
|locono = 6960
|designed = Frederick Hawksworth
|years3 = 2019
|events3 = Returned to SVR on hire
|years4 = 2021|events4 = Out of ticket, left SVR
|length = 63ft 0¼"
|weight = 75t 16cwt
|power = 27,275 lb
|pressure = 225 lb/sq in}}'''6960 Raveningham Hall''', a GWR 6959 Class 'Modified Hall', was resident on the SVR between 1977 and 1996 and returned on hire in between 2019and 2021. The SVR’s SVR's [[GWR 4930 Hagley Hall | 4930 Hagley Hall]] is an example of the original Collett design of the successful 4900 Hall Class mixed traffic locomotive. In 1944 FThe Class was first built in the 1920s and the design remained largely unchanged until C.B.WCollett retired in 1941. Frederick Hawksworth, Collett’s his successor as GWR Chief Mechanical EngineerCME, introduced a modified version produced the 6959 Modified Hall class of which 71 were built between 1944 and 1950. Although visually similar to the Hall with improved cylinder steam passagesearlier Halls, the modified version incorporated many changes. The re-design included plate frames incorporating a longer wheelbase with and extended main frames, . Cylinders incorporating improved steam passages were cast separately from the smokebox saddle and bolted to the frames on each side. Increased superheating and a re-designed bogiefeatured. Hawksworth also produced a re-designed tender with flat high sides, and a number of the 4900 and 6898 Class Halls were equipped with these. Seven Modified Halls were preserved, including 6960, although one (7927 Willington Hall) is being used as the donor for the 'Grange' and 'County' re-creation projects. Classmates include formerly [[Steam Locomotives hired by the SVR|hired]] locomotive [[6990 Witherslack Hall]] and [[Steam Locomotives visiting the SVR for galas| former gala visitors]] 6998 Burton Agnes Hall and 7903 Foremark Hall.
==6960 in service==
==6960 in preservation==
6960 left [[Barry Scrapyard|Barry]] in October 1972 as the 26th departure and moved to ‘Steamtown’, now the site of West Coast Railways base at Carnforth.<ref>[[Bibliography#Other References|Beckett & Hardingham (2010)]] p. 74.</ref> There it was acquired by Mr Brian Thomas and following restoration took part in the [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 1970-1979#1975|1975 ]] [[Rail 150 ]] celebrations at Shildon]].<ref name=SB8/>
In May 1977, Brian Thomas moved the locomotive to the SVR, where it continued in service until 1981. Following an overhaul 6960 returned to service in 1983; this second ‘ticket’ lasted the full 10 years to 1993. A third period of service began in late 1995, before the locomotive left the SVR in 1996.
While at the SVR 6960 hauled a number of [[The Severn Valley Railway on the main line|rail tours on the main line]], including being the first SVR based engine to haul a main line rail tour, F&W Railtours "Cathedrals Express" from Hereford to Chester on 8 April 1978.<ref>SVR News 48</ref> It also acquired the nicknames ‘Ratbag Hall’ and 'Raving Mad Hall'.
During that time it also featured in [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway|TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway]], such as [[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway#TV_Commercials_and_other|Surprise Surprise]] (1984), [[Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington]] (1987) and [[Virtual Murder]] (1992). <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Miss_Marple_Screenshot_5_6960.jpg | 6960 in '4:50 from Paddington', which also featured night-time parallel running scenes </gallery>
While at the SVR Raveningham Hall recorded 69,392 miles as follows:
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