THE charitable GWR 813 Preservation Fund, which owns Severn Valley Railway (SVR) based GWR 0-6-0ST No. 813, has launched a £15,000 Crowdfunder appeal for the locomotive’s new dragbox.
During the 2022 Spring Steam Gala, No. 813 suffered a fracture of the original 122-year-old large casting that supports the rear axle springing under the cab floor, extending beneath the coal bunker. It is a substantial component to which the coupling mechanism is attached to allow the locomotive to pull a train.
A replacement dragbox has now been cast at the Boro’ Foundry Ltd in Lye, Stourbridge. It has been produced in spheroidal graphite iron, a superior grade to the original. The casting is yet to be machined but once fettled, it is hoped the SVR will be able to progress the locomotive’s repair over the summer.