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The Newsletter of DINMORE MANOR LOCOMOTIVE LIMITED OCTOBER 2006 |
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The Newsletter of DINMORE MANOR LOCOMOTIVE LIMITED OCTOBER 2006 |
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Nearly 6000 miles 3850 may have been out of steam for nearly forty-one years, between 1965 and 2006, but has been making up for lost time this summer, covering almost 6000 miles in service on the West Somerset Railway since returning to steam in May this year. The locomotive operated on every day during June, July and August, the height of the season, except when out of service for boiler washouts, covering 4707 miles. This has been followed by a further 1220 miles in September bringing the mileage so far to 5927. After a 'fact finding tour' to the WSR during the summer, your editor can report that the locomotive is in fine fettle and is more than popular among the footplate crews. Like 7820, 3850 steams freely so that the safety valves are often close to lifting. Because the engine has more than enough power to haul 7/8/9 coach trains along the line, no more than half regulator is needed on even the steepest banks. Consequently the fireman only needs to apply the occasional shovelful of coal to the firebox, allaying any fears that such a large locomotive would be too uneconomical to run regularly.
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3850's return to steam has been
celebrated in the cover photograph, by Ken Steel, of the Summer 2006 edition of the
'West Somerset Railway Journal' and on the
t-shirts marking the Beer Festival at Minehead station over the weekend of
16/17 September.
The locomotive made its gala debut at the WSR's Autumn Gala, 5th-8th October, where it was joined by, among others, four visiting GWR locomotives.
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| That Chimney!
There has been some comment on 3850's GWR unlined green livery and copper capped chimney. The chimney now on 3850 originally came from a 'Hall', hence the copper cap. It was fitted to 'Dinmore Manor' during its nine years service on the WSR and transferred to 3850 when 7820's boiler certificate expired, 3850's own chimney being cracked. The earliest 28xx class 2-8-0's out of Swindon in the first decade of the twentieth century were fitted with copper capped chimneys, like all GWR locomotives at that time. As 3850's restoration neared completion, the owning shareholders voted for the GWR livery to be applied. GWR freight locomotives were painted in unlined green and this is probably the scheme that would have been applied to 3850, had there not been a war on at the time leading to all locomotives being painted in wartime black. 3850 was owned by the GWR for just six years, by BR for 17 years, by Dai Woodham for 18 years and has been owned by the 3850 Preservation Society / Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd. for the last 22 years. So as we have owned the locomotive for longer than any other owner, not to mention putting in an enormous amount of time, effort and money into its restoration, we would be justified in painting it in any colour we like! Suggestions to ..... _______________________________
Keep In Touch Don’t forget to let us know when you change address, by writing to Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd, 48 Tinkers Drove, Wisbech, PE13 3PQ, telephone 01945 587892 or email via the website. And the latest information on our locomotives is always available on the internet at www.dinmoremanor.co.uk |
Coming Events 19th November 2006 Annual General Meeting 8th/9th/10th May 2007 Drive 3850 12th May 2007 Shareholders Special The Shareholders Annual General Meeting 2006 will be held as usual, at the Bell Inn, Bishops Lydeard, on Sunday 19th November, starting at 2.30pm. Official notification together with the accounts and a proxy form have been emailed to shareholders.. After the success of our 'DRIVE 3850' footplate experience courses earlier this year, further days have been arranged for May 8th/9th/10th 2007. The cost will be £200. For this you drive for half the length of the twenty miles of the West Somerset Railway and you fire half the length. The freight train will make two trips along the line each day and you are free to ride in a guards van when you are not on the footplate. Lunch, at the Beach Hotel in Minehead, is included and you may bring a friend who will be allowed to ride in the guard’s van. A booking form has been emailed to shareholders. The long awaited 'SHAREHOLDERS SPECIAL' celebrating 3850's return to steam will run on Saturday 12th May 2007. Further details will be published in our next newsletter. Working Parties Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd have moved lock, stock and barrel, well actually, container, tools and tender, from Tyseley to Honeybourne, where future working parties will be held. As previously, regular working parties will be held on the last Saturday of each month, but please check with us before travelling. |
