53808 Restoration Appeal

‘A Somerset & Dorset Engine’

53808 was an S&D engine through and through. With the severe gradients of the line from Bath to Bournemouth, and particularly through the Mendip Hills, the S&D 2-8-0s accomplished what they were made for. They would tackle these inclines with ease on both freight and passenger services when required to do so. We are lucky these days to have 53808. Together with sister locomotive No. 53809, they were fortunate in being withdrawn at Bath in March 1964 and close by to the scrapyards of South Wales. As luck would have it, they were bought by Dai Woodham for cutting up in his scrapyard at Barry, Glamorgan. Without going to Barry we would not have an S&D 7F to enjoy today.

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust have owned No. 53808 since its move in 1970 to the base at Radstock (with a short stay at Bristol Bath Road Open Day en route). Following the collapse of the Radstock scheme, the Trust had to find an alternative base and that came in the form of the fledgling heritage railway in West Somerset. The engine was moved there by rail in January 1976. With determined efforts by Trust members and finally assistance from WSR volunteers and staff, the locomotive was triumphantly steamed again in 1987, 23 years after its final operations from Bath Green Park.

Some 60 years have now passed since the Trust first became interested in preserving a 7F. It is now timely that we look forward to ensuring that the locomotive will continue to operate for many more years to come bringing enjoyment to everyone who admires and works on it.

So what needs to be done on 53808?

As with any locomotive put into service to operate day-to-day services on heritage lines, it can take its toll on mechanical parts and, most importantly, the integrity of the high pressure boiler. Since 53808 was finally withdrawn from service in the autumn of 2023 (we were able to achieve a year’s extension to the boiler certificate), thoughts turned as to how we would carry out the 10-year overhaul and more importantly, how we would fund it. Its latter use at the West Somerset Railway often saw the engine used for in excess of 140 days per year, illustrating how useful 53808 was. The Trust were pleased to announce in December 2024 that agreement had been reached with the WSR to recompense the Trust for use of the engine from a period between 2016 and 2020, thus providing a substantial sum towards the next boiler ticket which will be paid to us over five years.

In preparation for an expected overhaul, we commissioned the Mid-Hants Railway to strip the boiler of tubes to allow a full inspection of the internal aspects of the barrel. This initial stage has been completed and discussions held with engineering staff as to the next steps to be taken.

The boiler has had considerable attention over the years since preservation firstly at the WSR and then at Pridhams in Cornwall who replaced much of the firebox area and finally more work completed at Crewe which included a re-tubing which was carried out in 2013.

The photo by Peter Nicholson, right, shows the boiler having some minor work completed at Minehead in 2015. An interesting fact is that this boiler was fitted in 1953 from Midland Compound No. 41097. Prior to this 53808 had the larger diameter version.

With the boiler de-tubed, attention will now be focused on the lifting of the boiler from the frames to enable a full report on its condition. The photograph shows the skip full of small boiler tubes which were in fact in quite good condition but rules have it that we have to replace them after 10 years’ service.

Before that takes place, it is intended to separate the tender and begin work on assessing its condition which will almost certainly include a new tender tank to replace that which has been leaking for several years. It is the original one as purchased from Barry in 1970. The tender has an unusual history in that it differs from the other existing 7F.

The frames are from an existing LMS 4-4-0 locomotive with a water tank fitted at some point during its life which was slightly shorter than other examples. This provides a ‘step’ at the back of the tender which, conveniently, can in fact help crews when in operation. It is intended to build a new tank to the same specifications. It is likely that the dragbox and inner frames will also require much replacement. These initial plans are all being drawn up to ensure a speedy return to steam of 53808.

Once plans are agreed for the tender and boiler, our next stage will be to look at the overhaul of the main chassis. It is thought that there will be much to do on this with wheels (new tyres), axle box and horn guides, main frames, springs and fitted bolts etc. These stages will be fully scrutinised financially and where necessary, tenders obtained for any work.