Difference between revisions of "BR Riddles 4MT 75069"
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− | After a lengthy period in storage, hopes of a return to service were raised in early 2009 when work was carried out to assess the condition of the boiler. However this assessment revealed that significant work would be required<ref>SVR News 168</ref> and [[GWR Pannier 1501 | 1501]], seen as a potential quick turnaround, was selected for overhaul instead.<ref>SVR News 169</ref> 75069’s overhaul finally began in early 2013<ref>SVR News 180</ref> and {{As of| | + | After a lengthy period in storage, hopes of a return to service were raised in early 2009 when work was carried out to assess the condition of the boiler. However this assessment revealed that significant work would be required<ref>SVR News 168</ref> and [[GWR Pannier 1501 | 1501]], seen as a potential quick turnaround, was selected for overhaul instead.<ref>SVR News 169</ref> 75069’s overhaul finally began in early 2013<ref>SVR News 180</ref> and {{As of|2017|lc=y}}, progress on this continues at [[Bridgnorth Loco Works]]. |
One major task that has already been completed is that of complete replacement of the dragbox. Additionally, during dismantlement of the cylinders the flange of one of the rear cylinder covers was found to be broken. A pattern for the replacement (along with its other handed partner) is in the course of construction in the SVR's pattern shop. | One major task that has already been completed is that of complete replacement of the dragbox. Additionally, during dismantlement of the cylinders the flange of one of the rear cylinder covers was found to be broken. A pattern for the replacement (along with its other handed partner) is in the course of construction in the SVR's pattern shop. |
Revision as of 15:47, 3 January 2017
75069 is a BRBritish Rail or British Railways Standard 4MTThe 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. 4-6-0 locomotive designed by R.A. RiddlesRobert Arthur "Robin" Riddles, Member of the Railway Executive for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering responsible for the design of the British Rail Standard Class locomotives. The Standard 4MTThe 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. was designed for mixed traffic use on secondary routes where the BRBritish Rail or British Railways Standard Class 5 and its predecessor, the ‘Black Five’, would be too heavy.
75069 in service
75069 was one of the final batch allocated to the BRBritish Rail or British Railways Southern Region, which were built with a larger tender giving greater coal and water capacity but with the same route restrictions as the Standard Class 5.
75069 was built in 1955 at BRBritish Rail or British Railways’s Swindon works and entered traffic at Dover. After just 11 years in service around London and the South Coast, the locomotive was withdrawn from service at Eastleigh in September 1966.[1]
Being a Southern engine 75069 is paired with a BR1B tender. This weighs approximately 49 tons (49.94 t), carrying 4,250 gallons of water and approximately 7 tons of coal.
75069 in preservation
75069 arrived on the SVRSevern Valley Railway from Barry Scrapyard on 31 March 1973. A restoration lasting more than 11 years was completed just in time for the locomotive, still in undercoat, to take part in the September 1984 Enthusiasts’ Weekend.[2]
In addition to service on the SVRSevern Valley Railway during the following 10 years, 75069 also made a number of appearances on the main line. In 1987 the locomotive was due to work a full Cardigan Bay Express season along with 7819 Hinton Manor, but was unable to complete this due to a crack in the back left hand flange of the firebox.[3] 'Mickey Mouse' 46443 was sent to Machynlleth to deputise and proved a worthy replacement. The firebox was repaired by the insertion of a new copper lap and a re-studded seam;[4] however subsequent investigation of the boiler led to 75069 missing the 1988 season while the flue tubes were replaced.[5]
75069 resumed service in 1989 and also returned to main line duties in 1991. The last main line tour was a one-way working from Kidderminster to Minehead in April 1994, following which 75069 spent the season on hire to the West Somerset Railway. During the visit, the boiler incurred some failures to tubes and elements and following a return by road, cracks were found in the back firebox flange, resulting in the locomotive being withdrawn from service.[6]
A full list of 75069’s main line appearances between 1984 and 1994 is as follows:
Date | Tour name | Route | Notes | Web | SVRSevern Valley Railway News |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
02 Mar 1985 | Red Dragon | Newport - Swindon - Gloucester | 75069 first main line run | 76-30 | |
27 Jul 1985 | Red Dragon | Newport - Worcester Shrub Hill | D/H with 92220, after attending Newport open day | SBJ | 77-10 |
27 Aug 1985 | GW150 Celebrations Excursions | Swindon - Gloucester - Swindon | Shared duties with Clun Castle | SBJ | 77-16 |
01 Sep 1985 | GW150 Celebrations Excursions | Swindon - Gloucester - Swindon | Shared duties with Clun Castle | SBJ | 77-16 |
22 Mar 1986 | South Yorkshireman | Tyseley (LE) - Saltley - Marylebone | Took over from 777 Sir Lamiel | SBJ | 79-6 |
12 Apr 1986 | William Shakespeare | London Marylebone - High Wycombe - Banbury - Stratford | SBJ | 80-14 | |
31 May 1986 | Red Dragon | Hereford - Newport - Swindon | D/H with 5690 (SBJ incorrectly shows as 31 March) | SBJ | 79-20 |
28 Jun 1986 | Swindon-Newport-Herfeford | D/H with 5690 | 81-40 | ||
28 May 1987 | Cardigan Bay Express | Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 | 85-33 | ||
29 May 1987 | Cardigan Bay Express | Machynlleth - Barmouth + return x2 | 85-33 | ||
12 Sep 1987 | John Player Special | Nottingham - Tyseley | Tour continued to London with Clan Line | 86-11 | |
13 Sep 1987 | Derby - Matlock x2 | 87-2 | |||
16 Jun 1991 | Cambrian Limited | Barmouth - Shrewsbury | (7819 worked the outward leg) | SBJ | 100-38 |
23 Jun 1991 | Cambrian Limited | Barmouth - Shrewsbury | (7819 worked the outward leg) | SBJ | 100-38 |
19 Oct 1991 | Cam 85 Special | Crewe - Hereford - Kidderminster | W.A. 'Cam' Camwell Birthday special | SBJ | 106-50 |
07 Jun 1992 | Ashford 150 Festival | Ashford - Hastings - Ashford | SBJ | 103-19 | |
28 Jun 1992 | Devon Belle | Exeter Central - Salisbury | SBJ | 103-19 | |
28 Dec 1993 | Christmas Steam Special | London Victoria - Brighton - London Victoria | SBJ | ||
27 Apr 1994 | Exmoor Explorer | Kidderminster-Minehead | 111-41 | ||
For further information on sources and references, see The Severn Valley Railway on the main line |
After a lengthy period in storage, hopes of a return to service were raised in early 2009 when work was carried out to assess the condition of the boiler. However this assessment revealed that significant work would be required[7] and 1501, seen as a potential quick turnaround, was selected for overhaul instead.[8] 75069’s overhaul finally began in early 2013[9] and as of 2017[update], progress on this continues at Bridgnorth Loco Works.
One major task that has already been completed is that of complete replacement of the dragbox. Additionally, during dismantlement of the cylinders the flange of one of the rear cylinder covers was found to be broken. A pattern for the replacement (along with its other handed partner) is in the course of construction in the SVRSevern Valley Railway's pattern shop.
The locomotive is owned by The 75069 Fund.
See also
Steam Locomotives
The Severn Valley Railway on the main line
References
- ↑ BRDatabase Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 74
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 85
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 86
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 87-91
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 110/112
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 168
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 169
- ↑ SVRSevern Valley Railway News 180
Links
BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 on Wikipedia
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