- Class: S15
- Wheels: 4-6-0
- Built: 1936
- Numbers Carried: 847, 30847
- Last Overhaul Completed: 11 Dec 2013
- Previously Operational: 13 Nov 1992 – 6 Oct 1997
- Last Operational: 5 December 2021
- Owned By: Maunsell Locomotive Society
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This class of locomotives, of which this was the final locomotive to be built, were essentially a goods version of the King Arthur class of express passenger locos (N15). The S15s thus became known as Goods Arthurs, and like the N15s, their origins went back to the LSWR designs of Robert Urie. Coming to the Bluebell from Barry scrapyard in 1978, its restoration was not started until the Maunsell Society had completed the restoration of their Q-class locomotive in 1983.
The boiler received its hydraulic test in 1988, and although it did not enter service at that time, regulations retrospectively applied mean that the boiler certificate, valid for ten years, started ticking from that test. Hence after a relatively short spell (under 5 years) in traffic it was withdrawn for overhaul. The Maunsell Locomotive Society then carried out as much preparatory work for the boiler lift as is possible, whilst maintaining the loco in a presentable condition for display.
The overhaul commenced in earnest in October 2006, with some of funds to finance the overhaul (in the Bluebell’s own workshop) already available. The boiler overhaul, which was a major part of the project involving replacing many of the stays including the complex crown stays, was returned to the overhauled frames on 9 August 2013, and it re-entered service on 11 December that year.
Following a very successful 8 years in service, the locomotive will require further major firebox repairs, and the driving wheel tyres are now at scrapping size and will be replaced, at its next overhaul.
→ Find out more
→ The Maunsell Locomotive Society
→ Audio Recording of No. 847 in action
