GWR ‘Manor’ No. 7812 ‘Erlestoke Manor’ is to move away from the Severn Valley Railway and run at the West Somerset Railway for the 2023 season, the Erlestoke Manor Fund has confirmed.

As part of the mutual agreement between the Severn Valley Railway and the Erlestoke Manor Fund, the locomotive will move to the West Somerset Railway after the SVR’s Spring Steam Gala on the 14th – 16th April 2023.

The EMF says that the locomotive will return to the Severn Valley Railway in autumn to take up duties in the run up to Christmas.

Adrian Hassell, Chair of EMF, said: “With an April launch at our SVR home, followed by our return in the autumn, we see an extended summer visit of 7812 to Somerset as beneficial to the SVR, WSR and the EMF, in aligning with both SVR and WSR steaming requirements, and helping generate valuable income for the Fund’s future projects.

“With 2023 being the 50th anniversary year of the EMF and 7812 fresh from its full overhaul, we’re delighted that the summer season hire will help maximise the opportunities for supporters and the wider public to enjoy the sight and sound of 7812 in action.”

Duncan Ballard, Head of Steam Engineering of SVR, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the SVR to continue our close working relationship with the WSR, and builds on the arrangement some years ago when the-then WSR-based Raveningham Hall spent an extended period in service at the SVR.

“7812 will be of considerable benefit to the WSR during their peak summer season. If it remained at the SVR, we would find ourselves over-supplied with steam engines for our anticipated requirements.”

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, Chair of WSR also commented: “We are thankful to the EMF and the SVR for allowing this freshly restored Manor to visit our line for the 2023 season. We are preparing for a busy summer again and adding an extra Manor to the home fleet will certainly help bolster our operating capability! We are looking forward to seeing three Manors operating on our line too which will provide something special for all concerned!”