Foxcote Manor News

Foxcote Manor News 2017

7822 on Santa Duties

7822 is in action at the West Somerset Railway in the Santa Specials programme. It has been a busy couple of weeks on shed at Minehead as 7822 needed a few more tweaks.

She required the replacement of 5 broken stays which was completed in time for 7822 to run on the 16th/17th December. There has also been work done on the clacks and a repair on a badly corroded splasher on the rearmost driving wheels. The image below shows the boiler with the cladding and lagging removed.

We wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous 2018, please keep supporting Foxcote Manor as we strive tokeep her running for you to enjoy.

Fundraising for Foxy

We are still looking to raise money for 7822 even while she is earning her crust at the West Somerset Railway. We have a variety of items to sell and we urge you to get in touch if you are interested.

RCTS Loco Profile Books - £8 including P&P.
Railway Modelling paints (Variety) - Open to offers.
"Pride of the Line" unframed, limited edition Philip Hawkins print, signed by 7 drivers and firemen from Aberystwyth shed (89C). - £90 including P&P.
- Pride of the Line is a painting by the great railway artist, Phillip Hawkins, it depicts 7822 on Aberystwyth shed being prepared for Cambrian Coast Express duties.
Foxcote Manor 2018, A3 Calendars - £12.50 including P&P.
7822 Christmas Cards (See news) - £2 for 5 cards plus P&P.

November Running Repairs

7822 has had some running repairs carried out while the off season slowly passes by. The front IR band has been replaced to help retain vacuum levels, this was achieved by Martin Fuller and Mike Solloway as well as some help from the West Somerset Railway. This was done without lifting the boiler or removing the bogie which was a real bonus.

The loco has been cleaned, had some stay nuts renewed in the firebox and had some work carried out on the clacks and safety valves. The FMS wishes to thanks Martin, Mike and the WSR for helping to stay on top of the locomotives maintenance.

7822 Calendars and Christmas Cards Selling Fast

Foxcote Manors 2018 calendar is selling out fast, we still have some of the A3 calendars which are available to order. These are priced at £10.

We are also selling Christmas cards which are always popular and this year we have two designs. These are priced at £2 for a pack of 5.

To order your calendar or Christmas cards, please contact us at mathew.grindley@live.co.uk, cheque is preferred and can be made out to Foxcote Sales. Many thanks in advance for your support.

Here are the two images to choose from.

First, David Wilcock (editor of Steam Railway magazine) took this cracking shot of 7822 passing through Llangollen Goods Junction.

Secondly, Neil Evans' (FMS founder member) timeless drawing of 7822 on shed with 7802 and Rudolph getting a scrub before service!

7822 Working Party - January 7th 2017

Saturday saw a gang of 6 FMS support crew kick-start 7822's winter program of work. The staff at Llangollen Railway had drained the boiler on the Friday removing the the mudhole doors and washout plugs to give the boiler its annual inspection. The first job was to remove the cladding from the cylinders to access the valve and cylinder covers. Martin Fuller and Mat Grindley worked on the left hand side and Alasdair Rogers and Joe Wellsteed worked on the right hand side.

It was actually the second job in reality. The first job was lighting the brazier after breakfast in Hazel's Cafe for us to stay warm! Cheers to Joe for doing the honours!

2017 Tour

The plan for 2017 will see 7822 go off on her travels to a couple of railways. 7822 will be in steam at Llangollen until the end of April, featuring in the Spring Gala which will commemorate the end of the Cambrian Coast Express and the Paddington to Birkenhead expresses.

She will spend May at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, a wonderful stretch of Colonel Stephens Light Railway and a very good day out. From there 7822 will then return to the West Somerset Railway, the longest standard gauge preservation line in the country where she will stay for 3 months, before heading back to North Wales for the Autumn in September.

7822 at the West Somerset Railway

Foxy will be in steam at the West Somerset Railway until the end of the West Somerset Autumn Steam Gala on October 8th.

Talks are ongoing as to where she will earn her keep for the end of 2017 and into 2018 but the FMS are keen to make up for lost time and see her running as much as possible. We will be sure to keep you updated.

7822 in steam at the West Somerset this week

7822 is scheduled to be in steam from this Wednesday (13th September) through to Sunday 17th September. Other engines in steam will be 6960, 53808 and 44422.

Its great to have her back in steam!

2018 Calendar - Dont Miss Out

The 2018 calendar has been a great success selling over 400 since the launch a month or so ago. We still have some left and we urge you to order yours.

We have A4 at £7.50 including P&P and A3 at £10 PLUS P&P. It will make a great Christmas present for your family, friends or just yourself. Email Mat at mathew.grindley@live.co.uk to order yours.

7822 Running and Plan Update

7822 is now scheduled to run for a final time at the Kent & East Sussex Railway on August 15th. After this she will head to the West Somerset Railway for a period in steam there, where she will meet up with Flying Scotsman and take part in the "Bath & Beyond" gala in early October.

Thank you to everyone at the K&ESR for there kindness in previous months, we hope it isn't the last time she will visit that beautiful corner of the country.

7822 Back In Traffic at the Kent & East Sussex Railway

Foxy returned to traffic on Sunday for the first time since May and it is great to have her back. She completed a days passenger timetable at the Kent & East Sussex Railway following successful loaded trials on Saturday. This had followed two days of light engine running to make sure everything was working as it should after lying dormant in the carriage shed for over two months.

We are hoping that all will stay well and she will complete the whole of August at the line from Tenterden to Bodiam. Thanks to Martin Fuller, Mike Solloway and Andy Hardy (and others at the KESR) for fitting the valves and thanks to Tyseley for turning a set around so quickly for us. Keep an eye out for new running dates as they are announced.

2017 Annual Summer Social

This years summer social takes place on Saturday July 15th.

Departing Llangollen around 18:00 we will head to Glyndyfrdwy where there will be a buffet, live music by the new Glyn Ukelele Band and singer Sophie Francis. Baileys Bar will be open for refreshment and we will then depart Glyndyfrdwy for Carrog at 20:45.

We end the night with a run back to Llangollen picking up anyone who stayed at Glyndyfrdwy! To book message us through the contact page or email mathew.grindley@live.co.uk.

2018 Calendar Now On Sale

The 2018 calendar has been launched and we have them in both A4 & A3.

Featuring 13 stunning photgraphs by some of Britains finest railway photographers this will make a great addition to an office or kitchen wall. We have made this calendar to mark 30 years since 7822 returned to steam. We hope that you will pick our stunning calendar over "Supercars", "Springer Spaniels" or "Babes".

The A4 version costs £6 or you can buy 2 for £10, the A3 version costs £10. Email mathew.grindley@live.co.uk or send us a message through the contact page.

FMS Statement June 2017

Following a successful weekend running at the “Along Birkenhead Lines” Gala at Llangollen in March 2017, 7822 was withdrawn from service to have pre-arranged works undertaken to its valves. The works to include re-boring, new valve heads and rings etc, and were undertaken by Llangollen Railway Engineering. The works commenced in early March and were completed on 25th April and after short proving trials, 7822 departed for the Kent and East Sussex Railway oN 27th April for a pre-arranged hire period. Gauging and steam trials took place at KESR (KESR),on 28 April.

It was very soon discovered that the new valves were problematic, however this was attributed to them “bedding in”, however 7822 was failed completely on 13th May by KESR and officials from FMS. The valves were subsequently removed to show unprecedented wear and were transported back to Llangollen for assessment and ongoing attention, which is the subject of ongoing discussions between the Trustees of FMS and LR.

It is hoped that 7822 can return to action very soon after subsequent repairs (for and extended stay at KESR), followed by a further period of hire at West Somerset Railway. Please look at FMS society website for further up-dates as they are confirmed.

FOXCOTE MANOR SOCIETY June 2017

7822 Removed from Traffic Pending Maintenance

We are sincerely sorry to announce that Foxy has been pulled from traffic while work is done on some mechanical niggles. Work is ongoing and we apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this but we hope you see her running again soon.

7822 is stored undercover at the Kent & East Sussex Railway while work is undertaken. When we have some dates for her to return we will let you all know.

Here is a video of our beautiful engine doing what she does best by Nathan Gibson, just to keep you occupied until we see her again!

7822 to KESR

Well, it was a bit of a false start but work should conclude this week and after a steam and load test we are hopeful that Foxy may still reach the K&ESR by the weekend. It will take a lot of work but I am sure it can be achieved.

The FMS apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by 7822's delayed return.

7822 To Return This Weekend - April 22nd & 23rd

Llangollen Engineering are bringing 7822's repairs to a close, finishing the valve, piston and bearing maintenance. We are aiming to run the locomotive in this weekend before she departs for the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

For 7822's running dates at the Kent & East Sussex head to the 7822 diary page.

FMS 2017 AGM

This years AGM is booked for Sunday April 30th 2017 at 14:00 in the Henry Robertson Suite. The event is for 7822 members only and AGM notices should by now have been received for you to bring your questions to the meeting.

2017 Tour

The plan for 2017 will see 7822 go off on her travels to a couple of railways. 7822 will be in steam at Llangollen until the end of April, featuring in the Spring Gala which will commemorate the end of the Cambrian Coast Express and the Paddington to Birkenhead expresses.

She will spend May at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, a wonderful stretch of Colonel Stephens Light Railway and a very good day out. From there 7822 will then return to the West Somerset Railway, the longest standard gauge preservation line in the country where she will stay for 3 months, before heading back to North Wales for the Autumn in September.

7822 to the K&ESR

Well, it was a bit of a false start but work should conclude this week and after a steam and load test we are hopeful that Foxy may still reach the K&ESR by the weekend. It will take a lot of work but I am sure it can be achieved.

The FMS apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by 7822's delayed return.

7822 Calendar On Sale In May

The Foxcote Manor Society "30 Years Back In Steam" 2018 calendar will go on sale next month and is surely a must for any Manor fan. Featuring wonderful photography by the best railway photographers in Britain it will be a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys steam. Contact us for more details.

7822 To Return This Weekend

Llangollen Engineering are bringing 7822's repairs to a close, finishing the valve, piston and bearing maintenance. We are aiming to run the locomotive in this weekend before she departs for the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

For 7822's running dates at the Kent & East Sussex head to the 7822 diary page.

2017 AGM

This years FMS AGM will take place on the 30th April 14:00 in the Henry Robertson Suite at Llangollen Station. This is for FMS members only.

2017 Tour

The plan for 2017 will see 7822 go off on her travels to a couple of railways. 7822 will be in steam at Llangollen until the end of April, featuring in the Spring Gala which will commemorate the end of the Cambrian Coast Express and the Paddington to Birkenhead expresses.

She will spend May at the Kent & East Sussex Railway, a wonderful stretch of Colonel Stephens Light Railway and a very good day out. From there 7822 will then return to the West Somerset Railway, the longest standard gauge preservation line in the country where she will stay for 3 months, before heading back to North Wales for the Autumn in September.

Foxcote Manor Winter Work

Foxcote Manor's 2017 will start with some maintenance on the bottom end to get everything right before the 2017 season at the Llangollen Railway, Kent & East Sussex Railway and West Somerset Railway.

The main job is the re-bore of the valves, requiring specialist contractors to come in and carry out the work. At the same time, Llangollen Engineering have the task of re-metalling some of the bearings to take up some slight sideplay on the connecting rods.

The volunteers will assist where possible to keep the costs down and they will also clean and varnish the loco. There is plenty for us to do in a short space of time and if you would like to help get in touch via the contact page.

Many thanks,

The FMS

The working party gets underway, Steph thaws by the fire while Mat and Joe start on the left side cylinder cladding.

7822's backhead shows that the washout plugs have been removed and the gauges have been sent away for re-calibration.

The back of 7822's left hand side valve. With the rear cladding removed to access the valve cover. As you can see the nuts have been loosened to remove this cover later. The valve will be separated by removing the split pin and cotter pin, before using a splitter to remove the valve for inspection.

Tom removed the first piece of the piano front the make it easier to get at the valve cover, Alasdair Rodgers works on the other side as Mat removes the cover.

During and After : Tom and Steph worked on the unenviable job of emptying the tender. The coal was thrown out onto the coal pile and the coal space on the tender washed down to inspect the state of the plate which as you can see has built up some rust.

Valve ends: With the running plate removed, you can clearly see the end of the valve after the valve cover had been removed.

While work carried on at the front Steph took the opportunity to clean the grate of 7822 removing the previous fire that had been in after Foxy's last turn of duty on New Years Day.

Meerkat Manor : Mat Grindley pokes his head out where a running plate used to be, while removing another piece of plate to be able to get the valve cover off.

Fare Dodger! - This guy was found stowing away in the drags of the water tank. I'm sure he's only just come to his senses, its a rough old journey from the river to the tender tank. He told his wife he was only going to the shop!

Removing the cylinder covers : Its only a few nuts, how hard could it be, it took some course language and heat to get all of these loose.

The work continues during the Spring and there is much more to do. We want to get her ready for the Spring Gala in March, and she will need a good clean from top to bottom and giving her new coat of varnish. The rods will also be burnished and lacquered. 7822 has a big year ahead and we want her to be ready for it.

Foxcote Manor in 2017

Happy new year from us all at the Foxcote Manor Society, Foxy kicked off the new year at Llangollen Railway by running on New Years Day. The crew of Smales, Peacock and Elwood were the unfortunate three who had to have a sober New Years Eve!

Talking of sobering, it doesn't seem all that long ago that Foxy came back into traffic and although we have had a very successful 2016 since then, it is now time to get back on with the work and winter maintenance.

A report of what has been done so far can be found on the news page, we are doing a valve and piston exam, Llaneng will carry out their annual inspections and after some work on removing the side-play in the connecting rods, she will be put back together and put back into traffic.