The Erlestoke Manor Fund has confirmed that Tuesday the 8th of November saw 7812’s first warming fire lit and steam raised the next day for her first trial movement under her own power, the first time this had been achieved in approximately 5 years.

7812 Erlsetoke Manor is now seeing snagging tasks rectified in order to be ready for her in-steam boiler insurance examination which is set to take place on the 15th of November and will then see Severn Valley Railway engineers carry out a further inspection and examination.

If 7812 passes the examinations to a satisfactory standard, she will be moved back to Severn Valley Railway before the end of November where test running and mileage accumulation will be undertaken ahead of being entered into service at the heritage railway. It is hoped that the locomotive will be ready in time for Christmas operations.

Erlestoke Manor Fund volunteers have put in a mammoth effort in order to accelerate 7812’s progress including the final fitting, and outstanding tasks alongside necessary adjustments.

The organisation has also reported that 7802 Bradley Manor has now taken the place of 7812 at Tyseley and is being cleaned down in order for its heavy repair work which will see the replacement of her damaged cylinder blocks.

The locomotive has also seen the trial fitting of a new racking plate which is positioned across the frames beneath the cylinders, the boiler’s non-destructive testing has also been completed with positive results. With 7802’s new cylinder blocks already on site, the locomotive will be the organisation’s main focus for 2023 with work expected to take a minimum of 12 months ahead of her return to steam.

An update on 5164 has released that the locomotive is currently stored at Barrow Hill with preparations underway with overhaul planning alongside the purchase of parts. Boiler tubes have already arrived as part of an ongoing programme of advanced purchasing in order to beat any price increases ahead of its planned overhaul. Work will begin on 5164 once 7802 is completed.

The charity’s fundraiser ‘Big Large Prairie Appeal’ is now underway and if successful will play a massive role in quickening this long-term project.

Detail of how you can support the excellent work of the Erlestoke Manor Fund can be found here: http://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk