The GWR Manor Class

Beaten total number preserved by ten Terriers I think it is (including one abroad)? Four, supposed to be five, I believe working - so second in class there. Mike.

 

Well the reason why there are a lot of Manors is because Dai Woodham bought lots of them, and curiously no Granges. But I think the reason so many are in steam is because they are simply a handy size for the average preserved line. At Br Class 5 with 18 x 30 cylinders they've got enough oomph for practically any 25mph heritage line train, and with a 22 sq foot grate they don't consume coal in the way the 38sqft grate on a light pacific would. Plus they have reasonably low axle loading. And being green with names supposedly goes down well with the general public.

 

Al. maybe it's that Manor's are just a tad smaller than big "chuffers".

 

They're just a good size for heritage lines and, as Jimc says, look at home on them. They do well on them.

 

Yes, you've provided your own answer. Probably the majority of working engines on both preserved and main lines owe their existence to Dai Woodham. And basically, what he had is what you got; there weren't any alternatives. And he had a lot of Manors and Bulleid Pacifics, but very few (one) LNER type. That's how it goes.

 

The BR Standard Class 8 has 100% of the class still running.

 

In the past Manors have also been fairly 'spirited' main line performers.

Watching us pass the BMW's, Mercs and yes even Jags as Bradley Manor climbed Whiteball wasnt to be missed!

 

Who was / were behind the original purchase effort?

 

That would probably explain why 7802 was in a shed next to the demolished roundhouse at Shrewsbury months after her sisters left for Barry.

Bob.

 

As a long term member of the owning group the story behind the retention of 7802 at Shrewsbury after its sisters had made what should have been their final journey has always been a bit of a mystery. The rumour re a preservation attempt is not new but has never had substance. The delay in delivering 7802 to Woodhams meant that it was the last GW designed loco to arrive there.

Currently operational are 7802, 7812, 7827 & 7828
Under overhaul - 7820, 7822
Stored/exhibited - 7808, 7819, 7821

 

I’ve travelled behind them all apart from Cookham. I suspect the chances of me getting that in the book are quite slim!

Is there any talk of steaming Hinton again?

 

Is Ditcheat still owned by the WSRA?

 

https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/locomotives-stock/gwr-7800-class-7821-ditcheat-manor

 

7819 is in the queue for overhaul hence its presence in the engine house; it will doubtless re-appear some time in the future but when depends on SVR timescales.

 

How many of the preserved ones are of the post-war batch? In general, as per the thread the combo of right size, right scrapyard, right company[1], all make sense, but I'd also add later build, esp if post war would tip between say a grange and a manor, as it has been less abused in wartime.

[1]FTAOD, I mean right at the time, Green With Rivets seemed to attract disproportionate interest back then. I neither advance, nor espouse, and view that the undertaking has any primacy in real terms...

 

The final batch of GWR locos moved to Woodham's in 1966 were four Halls (4920, 6984, 6990, 7927) and in the May of that year, Manors 7812, 7819, 7820, 7821, 7822, 7827, 7828. 7802 followed two months later in July 1966 and was indeed the last GW engine to arrive.

 

Five are post-war, starting from 7820.