'Powerful Pristine Pannier' approaches Oakworth - 12.3.2022
Pictured at 10.45am on Saturday 12th March 2022 during the Keighley and Worth Valley's (KWVR) excellent 2022 Spring Steam Gala, sees GWR 1930's Collett designed Class 5700 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.7714 storming up the steep gradient towards Oakworth with the Ex 10.30am Keighley departure for Oxenhope.
7714 was first shedded at Tyseley before moving around several sheds until withdrawal from service in 1959 after travelling over half a million miles!
It was then sold to the National Coal Board for use at their Penallta Colliery, near Hengoed, in the Rhymney Valley, South Wales - where it mainly acted as a spare engine. At its peak, in the early 20th Century, Penallta was one of the largest and most import pits employing over 3,200 men during the 1930's. In 1930, 975,603 tons were produced from its six foot seam. The pit eventually closed on 1st Novmeber 1991.
In 1973, 7714 was rescued for preservation by the Severn Valley Railway's (SVR) Pannier Tank Fund - then in a much-worn condition. After undergoing a lengthy restoration, it was first steamed in 1992 seeing regular use on the SVR as well as visiting other Heritage Railways like the KWVR as shown here - recording over another 85,000 miles in preservation.
Quite a remarkable achievement for this fine locomotive!
Why not try enlarging too for a closer look.
'Powerful Pristine Pannier' approaches Oakworth - 12.3.2022
Pictured at 10.45am on Saturday 12th March 2022 during the Keighley and Worth Valley's (KWVR) excellent 2022 Spring Steam Gala, sees GWR 1930's Collett designed Class 5700 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.7714 storming up the steep gradient towards Oakworth with the Ex 10.30am Keighley departure for Oxenhope.
7714 was first shedded at Tyseley before moving around several sheds until withdrawal from service in 1959 after travelling over half a million miles!
It was then sold to the National Coal Board for use at their Penallta Colliery, near Hengoed, in the Rhymney Valley, South Wales - where it mainly acted as a spare engine. At its peak, in the early 20th Century, Penallta was one of the largest and most import pits employing over 3,200 men during the 1930's. In 1930, 975,603 tons were produced from its six foot seam. The pit eventually closed on 1st Novmeber 1991.
In 1973, 7714 was rescued for preservation by the Severn Valley Railway's (SVR) Pannier Tank Fund - then in a much-worn condition. After undergoing a lengthy restoration, it was first steamed in 1992 seeing regular use on the SVR as well as visiting other Heritage Railways like the KWVR as shown here - recording over another 85,000 miles in preservation.
Quite a remarkable achievement for this fine locomotive!
Why not try enlarging too for a closer look.