David Element's Railway Web Page 7 - BR 'Standard' Class 4MT Tank Locomotives 1

David Element's Railway Web Page 7...

Steam Locomotives in Preservation

BR 'Standard' Class 4 MT Tanks 80078, 80104, Swanage Railway, July 2002

BR 'Standard' Class 4MT 80078

BR 'Standard' Class 4MT 80078, 80104

BR 'Standard' Class 4MT 80078

BR 'Standard' Class 4MT 80104

This sequence of captured mini-DV stills illustrates the end of the day's activities for a brace of British Railways 'Standard' Class 4 MT tanks operating on the Swanage Railway: http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/ in Dorset. Although they are in preservation these locomotives perform a full and busy working day and require coaling, watering and removal of the cinders and embers from the smokebox and firebox in preparation for the following day's activities. No. 80078 is the first arrival. This series of images begins shortly after this locomotive has been uncoupled from her five car train. By the time that its classmate No. 80104 arrives about half an hour later 80078 has been watered in Swanage station, coaled, her fire has been dropped (picture 6 shows a railwayman hosing down the hot coals) and the cinders removed in a wheelbarrow. The first locomotive has then been reversed to allow sufficient room for 80104 to undergo the same processes.

It should be noted that preserved locomotives undergo regular periods of inactivity for maintenance and the appearance of photographs of any particular example on these pages does not necessarily mean that it is currently operational. Newly restored locomotives may be used as replacements, locations or ownerships may change and if a locomotive undergoes a heavy overhaul it may be out of action for several years. This process is immensely expensive and labour-intensive and preserved railways always require significant financial assistance from visitors and benefactors, so any contributions towards the uptake of these marvellous machines will always be welcomed by their owners.