THE long-awaited return of the Severn Valley Railway’s flagship GreatWestern‘Hall’No. 4930 Hagley Hall has moved a step closer after the 4-6-0’s boiler successfully passed its steam test on December 7. TheStandardNo. 1boiler has been rebuilt by Northern Steam Engineering in Stockton, including the renewal of around 75% of the outer firebox wrapper, and the manufacture and fitting of a new front tubeplate.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused slight delays to the project, but the boiler was completed in time for a hydraulic test on December 3, followed by its first fire since 1986 the following day.
The December 7 test was performed in the presence of the boiler inspector and Andy Sweet,one of the founder members of the Friends of Locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall Group,who were able to witness the safety valves lifting for the first time in many years. “The successful steam test on No.493’s boiler is a momentous step in the overhaul of the locomotive and a superb result for all our long-standing donor ‘Friends’and supporters,” said Paul Hobson, chairman of the Friends of Locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall Group. “We are looking forward to the full reassembly of Hagley Hall and the increasing probability of No.4930’s wheels moving under its own power in 2021.”