WD 2-8-0 90733 Withdrawn

Due for withdrawal in 2017 after 10 years service, WD 2-8-0 90733 had been granted an extension to its boiler certificate to allow further use well into 2018, with a final withdrawal date set as 6th April

However, despite being given an extension to its boiler ticket, following its last Santa Steam Special turn it was discovered that a couple of the small tubes had developed cracking. With a limited time in traffic and unable to justify the cost of repairs, the Locomotive Department reluctantly decided that it would not be economical to do a repair for the sake of a few more days running. It also means that its appearance at the 2018 Spring Gala will now not be its final appearance at a KWVR Gala, the 2017 Winter Steam gala now holds that honour.

Sadly, therefore, 2017 Santa Steam Specials have been the locomotive’s swansong, so it will be some time before we see this unique engine power its train up the Worth Valley.

90733 back on the frontline

In February we reported on the withdrawal of WD 2-8-0 90733 following the failure of one of the flues after which examination revealed a further 7 flues were not in the best of health. Accordingly 8 new ones were ordered, although re-instatement to traffic would take some time.

Anyone visiting Haworth yard saw a somewhat forlorn 90733 peaking out from the goods shed.

However fast forward 2 months and 90733 is seen in Haworth Yard in steam and ready for action.

Work completed during those 2 months was the replacement of 8 flues with brand new flues that were made and fitted by Riley and Son, although the removal of the superheater and the flues and the replacement of the superheater was done by KWVR volunteers. The work also included some remedial work on the regulator and the fire grate.

90733 will be back in action this weekend 16th & 17th April

Grey USATC S160 2-8-0 5820 on public view

Earlier today in a move that involved 34092 ‘City of Wells’ (see separate story), ‘Big Jim’, S160 5820 was extracted from Haworth Locomotive Works following its anticipated repaint into authentic U.S.A. Transportation Corp grey.

Prior to leaving the shed in its new guise, 5820 is photographed in the last stages of the repaint

Featured image: James Horrell

USATC S160 5820 to debut in grey this weekend

Since disappearing into the depths of Haworth locomotive shed, 5820 has not been seen in public but will shortly reappear in its new, authentic guise, as a USATC locomotive in all over grey. 5820 has not been seen in grey since ending its last turn of duty before joining the locomotive restoration queue.

The restoration concluded by the locomotive appearing in a fictitious British Railways livery and number and was officially launched into traffic at the Winter Steam Spectacular in March in its black BR incarnation. Black has all gone and grey is the colour it will carry for the future. The photograph above from the 1908s shows what the travelling public can expect to see.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

Featured image: Colin Smith

45305 Alderman A. E. Draper Remains in the Fleet

45305 arrived on the Railway in April from the ‘big railway’ and it has been announced, will stay with us into 2014. This popular engine will be available to haul Santa trains and regular service trains through to the New Year, probably until March 2014. In addition to working on the Worth Valley, the engine, a reliable performer on the main line, will also be making sojourns out onto the main network on railtours.

Featured image: inspiring images