GWR Pannier 7760

Built : North British locomotive Ltd 1930

Withdrawn : 1961 (BR)

Withdrawn : 1971 (LT)

 

 

 

 

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7760 is one of the three 57xx class Great Western Pannier Tanks within the Tyseley Collection - 7752, 7760 & 9600. These locomotives were to be found practically all over the GWR system and were equally at home on shunting duties, freight trains and local passenger dutes.

7760 was built alongside 7752 at the North British Locomotive Company Limited, Glasgow, and delivered to Swindon Works in December 1930. It was based at Plymouth Laira shed until 15th November 1934 when it was sent to Swindon Factory for repair and overhaul. It returned to Laira until 1939 when, after overhaul, it was allocated to London's Old Oak Common shed, which was to be its home until 1949. That year saw it permanently allocated to Oxford shed, where it resided until being transferred from British Railways service. An interesting fact is that whilst at Oxford it went for repair to Stafford Road Works, Wolverhampton for a number of repairs, so there can be little doubt that it passed or even visited Tyseley shed.

On 2nd November 1961 it was transferred to London Transport, arriving there at the beginning of December. It replaced 7711, which had worked for LT until then as their L90. 7711 was then returned to Swindon for cutting up. No doubt it was cheaper to have the replacement engine than repair 7711.

7760 also wore the number L90, and as such it was sold in working order to 7029 Clun Castle Ltd where it arrived in June 1971. 7760 did not officially enter service at Tyseley Locomotive Depot until the late 1980's, and since then it has been a regular performer on preserved railways as one of the Tyseley's loan engines, visiting the Severn Valley Railway, Llangollen Railway and Great Central Railway. Withdrawn in October 1994 with a leaking foundation ring it re-emerged in May 1996, pride of Tyseley Locomotive Works bearing a main line ticket. Since then it has been on loan to the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh.

It achieved National Rail certification on 20th April 2000 following a proving run from Tyseley to Oxley followed by a loaded test run between Shirley and Stratford upon Avon hauling one of Vintage Trains' popular Evening Jolly trips.

7760 has been used on several main line excursions to Wolverhampton, Cannock Chase, Cosford, Birmingham Surburban, East Midlands tour, Mince Pie Specials. It was the banking engine for Vintage Trains Lickey Banker trains on 14th October 2001, when it assisted Hall stable-mates up the gruelling Lickey Incline (firstly 4965 Rood Ashton Hall and then 4936 Kinlet Hall).