20th September 2022: 30850 Lord Nelson: its restoration & operation

By CSL Croydon and South London | 2022-09-20

Former Southern Railway 4-6-0 E850 Lord Nelson is part of the National Collection. Currently based on the Watercress Line awaiting a return to service, it was at one time a regular on the mainline. As a reminder of that happier time, it is seen here on display at an Eastleigh Works Open Day in 2009. Image Credit: Neil Kearns

For the past fifteen year the branch has also held biannual afternoon meetings: that on 20th September in Redhill featured Neil Kearns telling us about ‘30850 Lord Nelson: its Restoration & Operation’. Having been built at Eastleigh in 1926 as E850, it became 30850 with the formation of British Railways. Withdrawn in 1962 at Eastleigh, it was preserved as part of the National Collection. After storage in various places, it went to Carnforth in 1977 and was restored to working order running many enthusiast specials, but this was curtailed by firebox problems. When Carnforth wanted space, 30850 was moved to Eastleigh, where the Eastleigh Railway Preservation Society took on the restoration of the engine. Neil detailed with slides the ups and downs of the work that was needed, including much specialist work on the boiler and firebox. Once finished, there was some main line running once the necessary ETMR, etc. had been set up. Problems brought this to an end, and after negotiations with the owner, the National Railway Museum, 30850 moved to the Mid Hants Railway where it was popular with crews once they had got used to the long fire box. Out of use since its boiler certificate expired in 2015, hopefully it will be returned to working order.

Posted in CSL Meeting Report