Cambrian celebration heralds 7802 comeback

摘要

Three Collett'Manors'joined forces at the Severn Valley Railway on a squalid November weekend to mark the 50th anniversary of their demise on the Cambrian route. The British Railways green paintwork on No. 7802 Bradley Manor was barely dry when it coupled to the front of its first passenger train since overhaul on November 14, joining classmates Nos. 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7820 Dinmore Manor for the festivities. All three 4-6-0s worked on the . Cambrian in November 1965, just weeks before the last 4-6-0s were cast aside by BR's Western Region. It was a remarkable achievement by members of the Erlestoke Manor Fund (EMF), which had set itself the draconian target of completing 'Bradley' in time to take part in the anniversary event. Just five weeks beforehand, its boiler was still separated from the frames, having only passed its final steam test on October 5. A concerted effort involving SVR workshops staff and volunteers ensured that No. 7802 was pieced together again in time to make the first tentative moves under its own steam on November 4. It was the first time that the former Oswestry, Machynlleth and Shrewsbury machine had run since it was pulled from active service in January 2011.