Progress

February 2010

We must apologise for the extended gap since the last progress report, this is in part due to the fact that several committee members had to spend time during 2009 attending to pressing family matters, and also that 2009 was a year of few tangible results despite all our efforts.

Hagley Hall has now been in the Engine House for almost 2 years and has been a big hit with all the visitors. The loco is the first engine you see as you walk through the door and this helps to raise its profile. The Friends undertake cleaning and polishing visits, complemented by escorted footplate visits for the public (by kind permission of the Engine House management) on certain Bank Holiday and Gala weekends. Donations from visitors are gratefully received and added to the coffers.

Royal Visit

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited the Engine House in October 2009, after the earlier date for the formal opening had to be postponed at the last minute due to his ill health. He travelled by train from Bridgnorth, hauled by 7812 Erlestoke Manor, and took in all of the exhibits, including Hagley Hall.

Fundraising News

Our current balance, as at mid February 2010, is approximately £50,500. We also have a generous pledge for a further sum in due course which will considerably enhance this balance, subject to final agreement with the SVR management.

Our Friends deserve a very special “thank you”- the ‘Friends’ membership scheme contributions have collectively raised over £25,000 to date, a balance which is healthily added to each month. If you are interested in joining the ‘Friends’ please download a form from our membership section.

We are still getting the sales stand out at Galas and special events, selling our quality range of clothes, footplate equipment and souvenirs. We are also pleased to announce that in future, we will be selling railway books from the high quality Wild Swan publication list with profits going towards the restoration. Thanks go to the Wild Swan team for their support. The stand will be out this year starting with the Saturday and Sunday of the March Gala – keep a look out and come and have a chat with us, maybe even buy something perhaps?

We are still collecting used mobile phones and certain ink cartridges for recycling – if you have any to donate please ask us for an envelope or drop them off at our sales stand if you are visiting over the Gala weekend.

Finally, thanks go to all those who support us in any and every way, it is very much appreciated.

Committee News

As mentioned in the last news letter Duncan Ballard has stepped down as Chairman and at the following meeting, the committee elected existing member Mark Hathaway as the new Chairman. Mark as you will know looks after the membership portfolio and he will continue with this. Duncan is still on the committee but will focus his expert skills towards planning the restoration and overhaul of the locomotive. We also have three new committee members, Ross Cooper, Andrew Christie and James Cooper. Ross has been a volunteer on the SVR for many years and is now a member of the Boiler shop staff at Bridgnorth. Andrew is a long standing member of the SVR and a main line driver to boot. He has been assisting us with our charters over the last few years and will continue this function as a member of the committee. James is a younger member of the SVR MPD and has just qualified as a fireman. We look forward to his views and ideas redressing the balance of the old to young! Welcome aboard to all three.

Unfortunately the group has lost 2 of its committee members, Angela Hall and Chris Baines. Angela Hall managed our merchandise with assistance from her father and 4930 engineering consultant Keith. Angela has moved away from the area and is no longer able to travel to meetings or assist at the special events organized by the committee. Chris Baines was our marketing and publicity man for several years. Chris stepped down from duties last year due to pressing family matters and has recently decided to make the step down permanent and allow a fresh face to take the job on. Both Angela and Chris will be missed and the committee thanks them both for the contributions made during their service to the group.

The future

"When’s ‘Hagley Hall’ going to get done?" The question we are asked more than any other and no wonder. Members memories of 4930 in traffic are now somewhat faded and are getting more distant with every passing year. Indeed, we now have footplate crew who have never seen the locomotive in steam and wonder if she will ever run again. When we think back to its heady days as the SVR flagship locomotive... heading the official opening train from Kidderminster Station... regular turns on the Severn Valley Limited... the exhilarating main line runs... it is sobering to realise (and remember!) that it is 23 years since 4930 last turned a wheel in anger... I mean steam.

But Severn Valley supporters are a passionate and faithful bunch and, since the “Friends” group was launched, have helped to raise over £50,000 towards our ultimate fund raising goal of £100,000. Why this amount? Because it represents around half of the net amount required to complete the overhaul. To enable 4930 to join the workshop queue, we have to show SVR(H) that we are serious in our commitment to assist with the funding. The Holdings Company has many calls on its limited budget and coupled with existing commitments to other locomotive owning groups, the result has been work on 4930 postponed. Without additional external assistance 4930 may be mothballed for many more years.

We are now in serious discussion with the SVR management over the future of “Hagley Hall” and the direction and structure that a collective of all interested parties will take. This will lead to a formal agreement over the funding and volunteer support with the overhaul and an agreed timescale for the work to be undertaken at Bridgnorth Locomotive Works.

Of course, the success of these plans will hinge on the continued support of you, our Friends and supporters and on the ability of the Friends committee to attract and raise further funds to the cause. Please spread the word and if you become aware of anyone who can assist us, whether physically or financially then please direct them to our web site at www.4930hagleyhall.org.uk or by post to The Friends of Locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall, Severn Valley Railway, The Railway Station, Bewdley, Worcs DY12 1BG.

April 2009

Sales stand

Please note that we were unable to hold our usual sales stand at the recent SVR 'Festival of Steam' and Members weekends, as several committee members have had other priority matters to attend to away from their committee roles in recent months. We hope to be able to resume the sales stand at the next SVR Gala weekend, but if you wish to purchase shovels, framed prints etc before then please get in touch with us.

We are still working hard behind the scenes to try to facilitate a return to service for 4930 as soon as possible.

Many thanks for your continued support!

The Friends Committee

2008 - Summary

The early part of the year was very exciting, the re-opening of the SVR was in sight after months of working the emergency timetables. All our effort was focused on making sure the loco was fit for the journey to Highley and assisting where possible in preparing the other locos for their journeys to ‘The Engine House’. As previously mentioned Hagley Hall showed the others how it’s done and effortlessly rolled round the tight curves and in to her new, but temporary, home.

Unfortunately due to the close proximity of the General Public in The Engine House, no work can be carried out on the loco. Visits are made to maintain the image of the locomotive but removal of any parts/tubes will not be possible.

With the loco safely stashed, attention was turned to fund raising activities. 2 charters were planned for the autumn, the first using 3440 'City of Truro' on a footplate ride charter and the second using 5526 and the carmine and cream auto coach on a photo charter. Unfortunate the footplate ride charter had to be cancelled due to lack of interest, but the photographic charter ran and was very successful. Some photos from the day can be seen in our gallery section.

At the last count the account balance was in excess of £42,700. The balance was boosted by a gala sales stand raising £500 towards the final figure. Our membership scheme has steadily raised over a third of the total figure in manageable monthly bites. All donors in the scheme receiving rewards at different levels of donation. For more details please see our membership page.

This has been a busy year for the Friends of locomotive 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, despite the outward appearance. Behind the scenes work has progressed well and could result in some very exciting news being released in the new year.

March 2008

After many long months being stored out of sight 4930 was to see daylight again for the first time since September 2007.

Saturday 15th March
"Hagley Hall" and the other inmates were shunted from storage into 3 trains ready for the trip to Highley the following day. Train 1 consisted of Midland Compound 1000, TPO and GWR mogul 7325, Train 2 was simply WD 600 "Gordon" and Train 3 consisted of STD 4T 80079, a BSK and 4930 "Hagley Hall".

Once the trains had been formed they were stashed away again out of the rain to wait for the time to come to depart.

Sunday 16th March
The Friends of Locomotive 4930 "Hagley Hall" committee arrived at Kidderminster at 07:20 to prep the engine for the trip. 4930 was oiled up and oil poured down the blast pipe to lubricate the cylinders (as we have removed most of the items in the smokebox this task was easy and the oil distributed evenly). Two members of the group also assisted in the preparation of Gordon which has its smokebox as it was when it left traffic. This meant a trip on top of the smokebox was required to pour the oil where it was required.

From 08:00 onwards the trains were shunted out by the class 11 and the locomotives pulling the Highley bound trains were attached to the front of the trains.

Our train (train 3) left Kidderminster at 09:50 (approx). Stops were planned at Bewdley and Arley for a check of the axle boxes and rod bearings. I am happy to say that no bearings ran warm.

During our stop at Arley, the train was split so 4930 could be posed for photographs, see the gallery section.

At Highley the train was brought to a stand behind Gordon and the Class 73 ED at the Down Home signal. 7325 was just being inserted into the Engine House and the queue had built up meaning we were held outside.

Road 2 in the engine house was populated first, 7325 was split from her tender and a platform was added to allow disabled access to the footplate. The Compound and a TPO were put on top of 7325, attention then turned to road 1.

47383 and the short freight were already on this road (going into the shed a few days before), next in line was Gordon then 4930. A few difficulties were experienced getting Gordon into the Engine House, but it was 4930 that had been labelled as the most likely engine to be difficult so the committee watched the loco like a hawk as she was shunted back into the Engine House. To everyone's amazement 4930 went in without any problems. 4930 was one of the few South facing locos in the shed so she went in chimney first, this way round the bogie did exactly what it was supposed to do and guided the loco round the tight curves that exist on the site.

4930 was re-homed and back in a pleasant environment for everyone to enjoy.

"Hagley Hall" will be on display in the Engine House at Highley for at least 1 year. It is hoped more news on the overhaul date will be confirmed now the SVR is getting back on its feet after the devastating floods of June and July 2007.

Please come along and support the SVR, the Engine House and 4930 "Hagley Hall".

August & early September 2007
 
The locomotive is still stored in a secure location on the SVR awaiting movement to Highley for the opening of the 'Engine House'.
 
Her outing in late July in the rain left a few streaks down the paintwork. This lead to a polishing session to return Hagley Hall to pristine condition.
 
The firebox has received further TLC with more willing volunteers brushing the firebox plate work.
Work in the Smokebox has continued also. All parts that can be removed at this stage have been removed and are in storage.
 
Hagley Hall is due to make an appearance at the SVR's Autumn Gala event. It is hoped she will be on display at Kidderminster for the event and our sales stand will not be far away.

July 2007

Friday 20th July
Members of the committee and 'friends' of the loco met up to prepare the loco for her trip to Bewdley. The loco was oiled and polished before being shunted for easy access on Saturday.

Saturday 21st July
The loco began its first journey on the SVR for 9 years. Unfortunately the previous days rain had caused a tree to fall across the line near the Kidderminster portal of Bewdley Tunnel. This caused the arrival of Hagley Hall and 7325 at Bewdley to be delayed by over 3 hours while the obstruction was removed.
Once the loco's had arrived at Bewdley the sales stand (which had been partially erected) was fully erected and people were allowed onto the footplate of the 2 engines. The event was a success for the SVR and for the Friends of Locomotive 4930 "Hagley Hall", we hope similar opportunities will become available in the near future. A couple photos from the day are in the Galleries section.

Sunday 22nd July
Hagley Hall was returned to Kidderminster and her temporary home after spending a night at Bewdley. During Sunday afternoon the cab received a polish while the external parts were allowed to dry off.

Sunday 29th July
Work in the Smokebox and Firebox continued, in the Smokebox some more of the baked on soot/rust was removed and various nuts/screws were dosed with penetrating oil again in an attempt to "make life easier" in the future. In the firebox, wire brushing the fireman's side plate to remove the deposits of soot or clinker still remaining after 21 years out of traffic. The now dry external parts of the engine were polished to remove the water staining.

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July
The locomotive received clean and polish for next weekend's appearance at Bewdley Station Gala.
4930 has not been seen by her 'adoring' public since early June. This will be one of only a few chances to see Hagley Hall before she is put on display in the Engine House. Photo of the now glistening backhead added to Boiler Images page.

Sat 7th July
Cleaning work continued in the smokebox. The corroded layers of steel being chipped away and removed along with the soot that remained in the hard to reach areas of the smokebox.

Sunday 8th July
Two willing volunteers were sent into the firebox to continue wire brushing the sides of the firebox. The drivers side plate and the door plate received attention.
The nameplates were polished in preparation for the locomotives 'day out' at the Bewdley Station Gala on the 21st of July.

June 2007

Thursday 7th June
The majority of the committee travelled to Swindon to oversee the removal of 4930 'Hagley Hall' from the Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet. The loco was oiled up and banners attached to the loco hand rails advertising the 'Engine House' at Highley. We assisted Alleleys Transport staff where possible to load the Locomotive and Tender onto the wagons for transportation to the SVR. 4930 committee members also oversaw the installation of 7819 'Hinton Manor' into the position where Hagley Hall had previously stood. At approximately 16:00 Hagley Hall's tender was unloaded at the SVR.

Friday 8th June
Two committee members prepared for the arrival of 4930 at the SVR by helping Alleleys transport and SVR paid staff unload 7325 and its tender which had been released from STEAM museum in Swindon shortly after Hinton Manor had been installed in the Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet. While all this was going on, 4930 was on its way to Hagley Hall for a rare opportunity (and possibly a first) for an engine to visit the stately home it had been named after. Our thanks go out to Lord and Lady Cobham for allowing us this opportunity. Following the photo shoot at Hagley Hall, 4930 ran with a class A headlamp code (albeit on the trailer) to the SVR. After 8 long years away Hagley Hall finally returned to SVR metals at approx 17:30. As the trailing driving wheels (the last ones off the wagon) touched down on the rails a cheer went up from the crowd who had gathered to witness this momentous occasion. The locomotive and tender were reunited around 18:00 and shunted away for the night.

Locomotive 4930 "Hagley Hall" was back where she belongs.

Some photos from the two days are in the gallery section.

Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th June 2007
While the committee (and assistants) have the chance, some minor works were carried out. The firebox and ashpan were swept clean, an inspection of the running gear was undertaken with some cleaning taking place. The loco and tender drag boxes were cleaned and painted ready for display and the brake gear was inspected and cleaned. Thanks to all who turned up to assist with the works - there will be plenty more to do over the coming weeks.

Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June 2007
Work continued on the locomotive during the weekend. Unfortunately due to poor lighting and access the work on the underside of the locomotive was unable to take place this weekend.

Most of the work carried out took place in the cab and firebox. The regulator and lubrication linkage was removed for cleaning and burnishing, this also improved the access to the stuffing gland and backhead behind the regulator. The reverser and reverser housing were rubbed down ready for re painting. The reverser received one coat of GWR green replacing the BR red that the reverser and regulator were previously painted. The sanding gear operating levers were also re-painted in the same colour green as the reverser. The reversing rod was polished where rod and the support interact. The handles of the sanding gear and fire-hole door operating handle were polished and protected. In the firebox the remaining dust from the last fire in 4930 was brushed off the sides and the tube plates. The front tubeplate plus about 30% of the fireman's side of the firebox was wire brushed to remove most of the loose material.

Our thanks go out to all those who assisted this weekend.

Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th June

The now burnished regulator handle and lubrication linkage was refitted and coated in petroleum jelly to prevent any any further corrosion. The smokebox door handles (one of which was painted black) were also burnished and coated with petroleum jelly. Further aesthetic work was carried out in the cab.

Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July

Work commenced in the Smokebox. The internal metalwork was scraped and any deposits of soot were chipped away from the various components they had adhered to, the resulting waste material was swept up and removed.

May 2007
After almost a decade indoors Hagley Hall will be turning a wheel and braving the elements for her journey home in what we hope will be a nice sunny day in the early weeks of June.

The committee are understandably excited about the return of Hagley Hall to the Severn Valley Railway, but we cannot forget the help and support we have received from our friends from Swindon who kept her looking immaculate throughout her residence in the Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet Village.

As many of you will know Hagley Hall is returning to the SVR to take her place in the 'Engine House' display building currently being constructed near Highley Station. The engine house is not due to open until August and in the weeks we have where Hagley Hall will be out of the public eye it is hoped some minor work will be carried out to those areas not touched by the cosmetic restoration prior to her leaving to go on display at Swindon.

During February 2007 the group ran a successful photo charter using then newly restored locomotive 4566 with 2 Great Western coaches and a van. Although the weather was not the greatest the charter appeared to be successful with some nice shots appearing on the web and in magazines. Please see our Gallery to view a few photos taken on that day.

September 2006
2005/2006 has been an exceptionally good time for the friends of locomotive 4930 'Hagley Hall'. In November 2005, the group celebrated achieving £22,000 in the bank. 7802 'Bradley Manor' was the train engine and dressed suitably with GWR style reporting numbers showing '22K' with the Group's Headboard and red loco lamps - see the Charters Gallery section.

However in August 2006 the passing of £30,000 was celebrated in more modest style with 8F 48773 carrying the '30K' reporting numbers to celebrate this.

During June a footplate ride charter was run using Ex Great Western King class 6024 'King Edward I'. The charter was very successful with more people than ever booking to ride on the footplate of a King. Some pictures of the day are available in the gallery section.

Unfortunately, while the Engine is still in the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet centre in Swindon no major repair work can be carried out. Our Friends in Swindon still keep 4930 looking immaculate. An inspection of the locomotive and boiler has been carried out while “Hagley Hall” has been in the shopping centre. The inspection was unable to determine the extents of any corrosion or wear as we were unable to remove any parts, but from what was reported we feel the locomotive is in better condition than people think. A list of smaller components either missing or known to be scrap has been drawn up and new components will be made to speed up the over haul when Hagley Hall is put through the works.

4930 'Hagley Hall' will be returning to the Severn Valley soon, a place in the 'Engine House' has been reserved for her and she is expected to return the Severn Valley Railway during the spring/summer 2007.

April 2005
The last year has seen a big step forward in progress for Hagley Hall. This time last year the group had just over £10,000 in the bank. At the last count, we had over £17,000.

The fund increases are thanks to Monthly subscriptions, Sales of merchandise, donations, photo charters and our annual football match.

Merchandise sales are continuous through SVR working Members but we hold sales stands at most SVR events (our next one being 16^th April 2005 Members and Shareholders Day). We are there to meet and greet anyone with an interest in Hagley Hall and of course, you could buy some of our wares.

In the last few months, we have run two photo charters. The first one was in November using 5164 on a passenger train and the second was in march using 1368 where we ran some freight around Bewdley then on a passenger train between Bridgnorth and Bewdley. Both charters were very successful with all involved having a good time. Please keep an eye on the site for our next charter.

The Football match is an annual event where the committee split and organise two teams that do battle on the field of play. Last year it was held at Bridgnorth and the Bewdley team won 6-2 against the Bridgnorth team. The match was followed by buffet on the station. The game is not taken too seriously but its always played to win on both sides. It was fun and as usual, all had a great time. We hope to hold this year’s match in Kidderminster this year but a venue is yet to be decided, but it will be held around the August Bank holiday weekend.

Our biggest contributor is the Monthly subscription scheme; this is a much-appreciated source of finance. Anyone who donates to the scheme receives a gift at a given stage in his or her donation level and a quarterly newsletter informing people of progress on the project. For more details, please follow to the link on the home page. Things behind the scenes are picking up pace and the changes should soon become more evident in coming months.

March 2004
It has been along time since our last update but let me assure you the group are still hard at work.

In the 2 years since our last progress report we have made significant progress with our merchandise. The Friends of Hagley Hall Shovel are now available, these shovels can be personalised with your name or organisation name at no extra charge to you. Work is also going ahead on a full products catalogue which we hope to be producing very soon.

Some work has been carried out on the locomotive while she has been in the Mc Arthur Glen Designer Outlet Centre, the STEAM Museum Tuesday Gang have been busy repainting the wheels of Hagley Hall as well as keeping her looking absolutely pristine.

January 2002
Work on fundraising has continued over the past few months with an extremely successful photographic charter using Black Five 45110 the Severn Valley's rake of Traveling Post Office vehicles (See Gallery for photographs). Planning is now underway for our next charter using ex-GWR Pannier Tank 5764 on typical 1930's branch line trains.

The group have launched a limited edition print of 4930 Hagley Hall crossing Borle Viaduct with a rake of Great Western coaches, sales are going well so why not order one for yourself? Click Here for more details.

March 2001
Due to the outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease the photographic charter booked for Friday 23rd March was cancelled. Further charters are being planned for later in the year.

February 2001
Fund raising efforts continue with another photographic charter booked for 23rd March 2001.

Cylinder Drain Cock castings have been obtained & these will be machined shortly, six new castings are required as the originals have been used on other locomotives in the Severn Valley Fleet.

Drain Cock Castings at Bewdley, 22nd January 2001.
Photo Duncan Ballard

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