The Erlstoke Manor Fund (EMF) and the 2857 society have reached an agreement regarding a locomotive tender loan.
Both of the locomotives which are based on the Severn Valley Railway will see GWR Manor 4-6-0 No.7802 Bradley Manor run with the tender off GWR 28xx No.2857 for 12–15 months, while 7802s new tender is built with a 3500 gallon water tank.
This will enable Bradley Manor to enter traffic later this year while also ensuring it gets the most out of its ten-year boiler ticket, instead of waiting for the completion of its own tender.
It will also give 7802 a more authentic appearance than if it was paired with a larger 4000 gallon tender.
“The 4000 Gallon tender, which has long been partnered with 7802, is in need of expenditure and repairs to ready it for further service. This would divert resources from the current focus of returning 7802 to service for the 2025 season, whilst the agreement provides useful income for the 2857 Society”.
Adrian Hassell, Chair of the EMF
2857’s tender will move to Bridgenorth for light work, commissioning and repainting into BR lined Green to match 7802, before Bradley Manor returns to service.
Tender swaps are commonplace, and they were even more so in the days of steam.
In preservation, it has enabled locomotives which aren’t in ticket to have their tenders hired out to other engines in service, as a means of raising funds to restore the original locomotive the tender was paired with.
The EMF
Established in 1973, the Erlestoke Manor Fund (EMF) successfully rescued Erlestoke Manor and subsequently Bradley Manor through fundraising and purchases from Woodham’s scrapyard in Barry, South Wales.
After being deemed surplus and outdated by British Railways at the end of 1965, locomotive 7812 was saved in 1974, followed by 7802 in 1979.
After being saved, the Fund concentrated on restoring 7812 to operational status, a goal realized in 1979.
Originally acquired just for parts, the Fund was persuaded to bring 7802 back to working condition, an accomplishment both practical and financial, completed in 1993.
Since their restoration, both locomotives have demonstrated their value in regular heritage railway service, each travelling over 100,000 miles in preservation, primarily on the Severn Valley Railway.
GWR Large Prairie No.5164 was acquired by the Fund in late 2021. It is presently stored at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Following the celebration of the Fund’s 50th Anniversary in 2023, there are plans to cultivate a new generation of heritage engineers via the upcoming overhaul of No.5164.
The 2857 SOCIETY
Established initially as the 28xx Society in 1971 and later renamed The 2857 Society in 1974, this group is dedicated to the ongoing preservation of the Great Western Railway heavy goods steam locomotive No. 2857.
Acquired from Barry in May 1974, the locomotive has been operational for two separate periods since its purchase. Additionally, the society owns the LMS 20T Brakevan No.730866, which is kept in operational condition for use with the Severn Valley Railway’s heritage goods train.
As of January 2, 2023, the 2857 locomotive is pending its 10-Year Overhaul. The associated group is actively engaged in fundraising and discussions with the Severn Valley Railway to initiate the overhaul process.
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