The GWR 813 Preservation Fund has launched a crowdfunder appeal for a new dragbox for Great Western Railway (GWR) 0-6-0 Saddle Tank No. 813.

During Severn Valley Railway’s 2022 Spring Steam Gala, 813 unfortunately suffered a fracture to the original 122-year-old large casting that supports its rear axle springing under the cab floor, extending beneath the coal bunker.

The new dragbox – a large, cast metal part to which the locomotive’s coupling mechanism will be attached to allow it to haul a train – will rectify this problem.

The loco was built at the beginning of the twentieth century for the Port Talbot Railway by Hudswell Clarke of Leeds, and initially numbered Port Talbot Railway No. 26.

It is one of the few remaining survivors of large number of tank locomotives taken on by the Great Western Railway (GWR) during the first quarter of last century from previously independent railways in South Wales.

You can donate to the crowdfunder here.

Trustee Nick Baxter explained that, “The current cost for this project is £15,000. We’re making this appeal because on the back of the previous winter’s unplanned boiler retube, 813 now faces this sizeable repair cost, and the locomotive has missed over a year of revenue in steaming fees, both at the SVR and other railways.”

Nick added that once repaired, “813 will then be back in steam for all to enjoy. The Fund thanks all in advance for your support.”

Severn Valley Railway’s mechanical team leader Will Marsh added, “A replacement dragbox has now been cast locally at the Boro’ Foundry Ltd in Lye, Stourbridge. This has been produced in a far superior grade [spheroidal graphite iron] to the original, so should see 813 through another 120 years!

“The casting is yet to be machined but once fettled, the SVR will hopefully be able to progress the locomotive’s repair over the summer.”