EX-GWR LOCOMOTIVE No 6695 VISITS THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY WINTER 2009 / SPRING 2010

Report from Nigel Clark - dated 24th Nov 2009
6695 Locomotive Group
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6695 outside Bridgnorth MPD being readied for boiler examination - Photograph copyright Duncan Ballard (SVR)

Nigel Clark writes:

Immediately after the SR's Autumn Steam Gala 6695 headed off to Bishops Lydeard for her second visit of the year to the West Somerset Railway. During the stay 6695 appeared at both the Autumn Steam Gala and their Somerset in Autumn event as well as working 3 days on ordinary service trains.

It was planned for the engine to return home to Swanage for the annual boiler insurance exam and be available (if required) for the Santa and Christmas to New Year trains. However, the Severn Valley Railway urgently required some additional motive power to assist with a temporary shortage and a call was received from them asking if 6695 was available. Taking into account the current motive power situation at Swanage and that the Severn Valley helped us with the hire of 7714 when Swanage suffered a similar situation two years ago, hire has been agreed. As time was short they agreed to facilitate the boiler exam at Bridgnorth and so 6695 went direct to Kidderminster from the WSR, arriving there on Weds 11th November.

Following some attention to a leaking clack joint, 6695 was put into light steam and then hauled to Bridgnorth on Saturday 14th November to be prepared for boiler washout and exam.

6695 inside Bridgnorth Boilershop awaiting replacement of 7 boiler stays - Photograph copyright Duncan Ballard (SVR)

Unfortunately, during the preparation for the examination, 7 copper stays on the copper doorplate were found to be cracked/broken. Stays in this area of the firebox are prone to breakage so this is not a total surprise. This was the only problem found, and the engine has been moved into the boilershop where replacement of the stays is well underway. The annual steam test should take place next week.

It is planned that 6695 should work the SVR's Santa trains between Kidderminster and Arley each weekend up to Christmas, and may then be used on services between Christmas and the New Year shutdown.

Negotiations are taking place with regard to the SVR undertaking some maintenance work on the engine over the Winter period, and it is anticipated that she will subsequently continue to operate in SVR service until after Easter 2010. The engine should then, finally, return home to Swanage.

The two photographs taken by Duncan Ballard (SVR) show 6695 outside Bridgnorth MPD being readied for boiler exam, and inside Bridgnorth Boilershop awaiting replacement of 7 boiler stays.

Swanage Railway's 6695 Locomotive Group always welcomes help and support. For further details of how to join us and to see further information on the specification and history of 6695, please visit our dedicated homepage at http://swanagerailway.co.uk/6695/index.htm by clicking here. You will find background information on the locomotive and links to all 6695 news items.

Nigel Clark
6695 Locomotive Group