By Cedric Johns
Fresh fromthe paint shop at Crewe, Locomotive Services’ BR 7P No. 70000 Britannia is back in traffic after an absence of threeyears from the main line.
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Dogged with vibration problems, the 4-6-2 was‘stopped’ for intensive work on its wheels and axles with emphasis on thereplacement of bearings.
Placed in the hands of South Devon Railway’s workshops, a first attempt did not overcome the problem so the whole process was repeated, this time, it seems, with success.
Sent to the Severn Valley Railway by road for proving runs the ‘Brit’ also took part in the line’s September gala.
Returning toCrewe in steam, the trip was treated as the engine’s light test and on arrival was moved intothe paint shop and given a new coat of BR green.
The 4-6-2 made another proving run from Crewe to Chester and back, on November 9.
Read more in Issue 249 of HR – on sale now!
