A new Collett pattern tender body has been delivered to Tyseley Locomotive Works ready to be fitted to the chassis which will run with GWR Castle No. 5080 Defiant.

The Castle locomotive is an original single-chimney two-row superheater castle, so it is appropriate that the locomotive returns to service with a Collett tender.

This is the first step towards seeing this locomotive return to main line service.

Funds were provided by The Defiant Club and are expected to be sufficient enough to complete the refurbishment of the tender to a mainline standard.

Manufacturing the tender body, which was completed by Goodmans of Nottingham, was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the original manufacturer ceasing trading.

The new tender body will be fitted after the Castle 100 open weekend, which is planned for the 17th/18th June so the locomotive can be viewed as a complete locomotive at the event.

The next step in 5080’s restoration is to raise the funds required to overhaul the boiler, which is set to be carried out at Tyseley Locomotive Works. This is expected to cost within the region of £300,000, subject to final assessment.