GWR No. 2807

Great Western Railway 2-8-0 No. 2807 is rapidly approaching its first steaming in preservation.

No. 2807 was moved from Woodhams scrapyard at Barry in 1981 to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at Toddington. Restoration of No. 2807 has been a 'steady' affair, but is now within months of completion.

For those who don't already know ....

* The 28xx class were the first 2-8-0 wheel arrangement locomotives in Britain
* No. 2807 is the oldest survivor of the 28xx class
* This makes No. 2807 the oldest surviving British 2-8-0
* No. 2807 is the oldest survivor of Churchward's celebrated standard designs
* No. 2807 is the oldest locomotive built by the Great Western Railway and now owned privately
* No. 2807 is the oldest locomotive to be saved from Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry
* No. 2807 was the first steam locomotive on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway
* Identical sister locomotive No. 2808 hauled a record breaking 2012 ton freight train in 1906.

(two older surviving G.W.R. locomotives, the Dean Goods built in 1897, and City of Truro built in 1903, are both in the national collection)

You can find out what we've been doing by checking out our Restoration Diary, and following the links at the bottom of this post.

No. 2807 is owned by Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd., and is supported by a registered charity, the 2807 Freight Locomotive Association (2807FLA).

We need your help to fund the completion of the restoration. If we receive sufficient funds (around £25,000) then the restoration will be completed by September and No. 2807 will be in steam again for the first time since withdrawal by BR in 1963.

How can you help?

Buy a Share in Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd. , £150, lump sum or instalments, and you will receive quarterly copies of 2807 News, a vote at CSPL meetings, and ride for Free on supporters’ trains.

Become a Friend of 2807, adult £9 a year, family £12 a year, and you will receive quarterly copies of 2807 News, and ride for Free on supporters’ trains.

Join our 100 Club, £12 per year, monthly cash prizes, you will receive quarterly copies of 2807 News and ride for Free on supporters’ trains.

2009 Raffle, 50p per ticket, prizes Steam Footplate Experience, Caravan Holiday, one day family pass for GWR.

£2807 Scheme, £2,807, and you will receie a trip for two on Elegant Excursions dining train, two years membership of the 2807FLA, which includes quarterly copies of 2807 News, and ride for Free on supporters’ trains.

Boiler Firebox Stay scheme, £50 per stay, and you will receive one year membership of the 2807FLA, which includes quarterly copies of 2807 News, and ride for Free on supporters’ trains.

Please help us to complete the restoration.

Thankyou.

 

We'll be at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's "Cotswold Festival of Steam" at Toddington, Saturday 23 to Monday 25 (we won't be there Tuesday 26). No. 2807's chassis and tender will be on display 'in the car park' - i.e. on the unloading road.

Please come and find us and say hello.