Oldest British 2-8-0 and one of Churchward’s finest: 2807

No story about G J Churchward would be complete without mention of the oldest Great Western locomotive in private ownership – an example of Churchward’s outstanding 2800 class heavy freight locomotives. The engine in question is no. 2807, the only survivor from the first production batch of 20 members of the class turned out of Swindon works in 1905/6.

The 2800 class was the first type with the 2-8-0 wheel arrangement to run in the UK. The prototype, no. 97 (later 2800), was turned out of Swindon in 1903, the same year as City of Truro. It was an instant success and the class more than fulfilled an urgent need for motive power to shift the ever-increasing tonnage of mineral traffic generated by the mining and steel industries, particularly in South Wales. Over 170 (including the almost identical Collett version, the 2884 class) were built, production continuing on and off until 1942.

Until arrival of these powerful machines, freight traffic had largely been in the hands of ageing 0-6-0 types that were struggling to cope with the demands placed on them. But the new 2-8-0s showed what they were capable of during trials - one member – some reports say it was 2807 herself – hauled a 2,012-ton coal train from Swindon to Acton. This is a record for a production locomotive while in service. We believe that The Great Bear hauled a slightly heavier train, but she was a prototype. Black Prince hauled a heavier train while in preservation, but not in service.

Success of the 2800 class can be measured by the fact that most survived until the 1960s – 2807 being withdrawn from traffic in 1963 having run nearly 1.5 million miles.  The engine then found its way to Barry scrapyard in South Wales where it languished under a deepening patina of rust for 18 years.  It was rescued by Cotswold Steam Preservation and moved to the embryonic Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.  It was the first steam locomotive to be delivered to Toddington during revival of the line. Since then the engine has been undergoing complete overhaul and is in the final stages of that work: currently the chassis is within the David Page shed at Toddington, while the boiler is undergoing final work at Llangollen.

During 2007 – in fact on 2/8/07 – Cotswold Steam Preservation re-launched its ‘final push’ share issue to with a target of £75,000, over a hundred shares have been sold to date raising £15,000. Shares are available at £150 each – a small sum to become the part owner of a truly historic locomotive.

‘Churchward 150’ presents an opportunity to explore the project with the restoration team at Toddington – and, of course, to buy shares.  Conducted groups will be able to view and be impressed by the work being done on the chassis in the David Page shed.

In summary, outstanding work includes:
 

Chassis – at Toddington

• Vacuum pump
• Ash pan and controls
• Assembly of injectors
• Completing motion

Boiler – at Llangollen

• Crown stays complete
• Replacement of wasted firebox wrapper sides
• Foundation ring
• Firebox stays
• Tubes and flues
• Superheater
• Hydraulic and steam testing

Tender - Now an operational unit, all that remains is cosmetic work

Timescale

• Provided the remaining £60,000 can be raised the engine is on target to move under its own power for the first time in 45 years during 2008 and ready for traffic the following year.

Comments Steve Price of Cotswold Steam Preservation: “We’re now so close to completion and we’re hopeful that the prospect of quickly seeing the locmotive working once again will encourage investors to help us raise the remaining funding.

“2807 is historically significant because she is the oldest of Churchward’s standard designs still existing, having been built in 1905.”

You can find out more by visiting Cotswold Steam Preservation’s website.

Photos

Then and now 1: 2807 in 1936 – note the absence of outside steam pipes.  The engine carries Churchward’s new standard No. 1 boiler – a boiler fitted to several Great Western locomotives including Saints, Halls and Granges.

Then and now 2: 2807 at Toddington before the boiler was removed for the second time, for completion of work at Llangollen.  The cladding gives a tantalising impression of how the engine will soon look of the remaining work can be funded.  Note that the engine now has outside steam pipes, just one of a number of relatively minor improvements made to the class over the years.

Staying power: work progressing on the boiler’s firebox at Llangollen.  The boiler is on its side and the roof stays are being attended to.