COLLETT ‘Manor’ No. 7828 Odney Manor made a triumphant return to service at the West Somerset Railway in the final weeks of 2018 after a two-year absence and overhaul.
The BR(W) 4-6-0, resplendent in BR lined green with early crest, made its public debut on ‘Santa Special’ duties on December 22, and was set to star alongside fellow Swindon-built 4-6-0s No. 7822 Foxcote Manor and No. 6960 Raveningham Hall at the line’s December 29-31 Winter Steam Festival.
However, the newly outshopped loco’s return to traffic was short-lived and No. 7828 had to be withdrawn after the first day of the event when a rivet was found to be weeping on the boiler.
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It meant the loco missed out on the remainder of the festival, but this issue is not thought to be serious and No. 7828 will be repaired ahead of the line reopening in full on March 30.
Read more News and Features in the February 2019 issue of The RM –on sale now!
