The Erlestoke Manor Fund has given an update on the progress in restoring Large Prairie No. 5164 and ex-GWR Manor Class Nos. 7802 Bradley Manor and 7812 Erlestoke Manor.

Large Prairie 5164

5164 had been stored undercover at Barrow Hill since 2014 until it was moved last November to appear as the centrepiece attraction at the annual Warley Model Railway Club Show at the NEC.

Along with the appearance of 5164, the Erlestoke Manor Fund had a promotional presence and sales stand, with a number of new members joining the Fund whilst the sales stand raised valuable funds towards returning 5164 to steam.

After the Show, 5164 was transported to Tyseley Loco Works for storage until work on Bradley Manor has been completed. The hope is that 5164 will be operational long before its centenary in 2030, although the timing is dependent on funding received through the Fund’s Big Large Prairie Appeal, details of which can be found here.

7802 Bradley Manor

The return to steam of 7802 Bradley Manor reached a milestone before Christmas when the Severn Valley Railway’s boiler insurance inspector recertified the boiler after an agreed programme of repairs and testing preparation last autumn followed by a successful cold hydraulic test on 21st November, which is the boiler’s recertification date.

On 18th December, a fire was lit in Bradley Manor’s boiler for the first time since 2019 ready for its steam test the following day, and when its safety valves lifted at 225 psi, all concerned seemed satisfied.

The following day, while the boiler was still warm, painting, cleaning, and painting the boiler with heatproof paint started.

Work is now concentrating on the replacement of the cylinder block with the focus now moving towards reassembly of the locomotive, but although there is still much work to do, the target is to have 7802 in steam and running on the Severn Valley Railway later this year.

7812 Erlestoke Manor

Last year Erlestoke Manor had a successful season on the West Somerset Railway and returned to the Severn Valley Railway for the Santa services from Kidderminster and the Winter Gala on 6th and 7th January.

Erlestoke Manor’s annual insurance examination is due this month, after which it will be used for footplate experience trains in February.

After the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Gala, Erlestoke Manor will make the first known visit of its class to the Bluebell Railway where it will make a guest appearance at its Branch Line Gala Weekend from 10th to 12th May, before returning to the West Somerset Railway for that railway’s main running season.