The Erlestoke Manor Fund has announced plans for its two GWR Manor locomotives.

The group own two Manor locomotives, 7812 Erlestoke Manor and 7802 Bradley Manor, with the latter soon to return to service following a full overhaul.

When 7802 is fully serviceable, the locomotive will take up residence on the Severn Valley Railway to become their roving ambassador at the SVR.

Meanwhile, 7812 will return to the West Somerset Railway in a deal with the railway from May 2025 until the end of 2027.

The fund says this offers the best outcome, and means both Manors will see regular operation over the next few years, meaning sufficient income is available to support their next overhauls and the overhaul of Prairie No. 5164.

7812 is planned to return to the Severn Valley Railway for Santa operations and will remain at the SVR until after the Spring Gala, set to take place between the 18th and 21st April 2025, before heading to West Somerset Railway.

‘We are very much looking forward to the return of Bradley Manor to the SVR in the coming months and our thanks go to both the SVR and WSR for their co-operation in supporting this arrangement for Erlestoke Manor in tandem.

This is an excellent way to ensure that both Bradley Manor and Erlestoke Manor can be seen in regular operation over the next few years, whilst also accruing sufficient income to support the overhaul of 5164 and the next overhauls of both 7802 and 7812.’

Adrian Hassell, Chair, Erlestoke Manor Fund