76077
Ian Crowder brought the story of BR Standard Cl.4MT 2-6-0 No. 76077 to us on 19th October. Along with his colleague Dr Ian Pogson, we learned of 76077’s building at Horwich in 1952, subsequent service at Sutton Oak (St Helens) shed, move to Wigan Springs Branch and withdrawal after just 15 years of service in 1967. 76077 found its way to Barry, arriving there on the very day the first steam locomotive to move out for preservation left Woodhams. Bit by bit various parts were taken off 76077 for other projects until, in 1984, the locomotive escaped and was brought to Toddington. Apart from being stripped down to establish that the loco was in generally very good condition, not a lot happened until sibling 76017 (with 76077’s tender) arrived as a guest loco for the 2017 festival of steam. This reignited the desire to get 77 back into running order. Much of the locomotive moved to Locomotive Maintenance Services at Loughborough and we saw images of the work underway. The frames are wheeled, cylinders are on, smokebox and cab attached – just the big bit in the middle is missing at the moment. That is being worked on at Toddington. Looking forward to the day when 76077 is hauling trains on the GWSR. Not long to wait now.