2884 class - No 3802 (In Black)
paired with the 3500 Gallon tender from 2807

This page is split into 2 sections, the first contains the locomotive history, shed allocations and principal dimensions for 3802.  The second contains information on the 3500 gallon tender (from under restoration 2-8-0 locomotive No 2807) that has been paired with 3802 for the duration of the gala.

3802 - Locomotive History - Written by George Jones from information supplied by Mike Trend.

No.3802 is a member of the 2884 class of GWR 2-8-0s built to an updated design by C.B. Collett of the original 2800 class by G. J. Churchward which dated from 1903.

The engine was completed at Swindon Works in December 1938 at a cost of £4,285. It was attached to tender No.1887 of 3,500 gallons capacity which had originally been built for 2-6-0 No.4346 on 1914. Classified by the GWR as power class E with Blue route restriction, in BR days it was rated as 8F.

The locomotive was initially delivered to Leamington shed on 7 January 1939 and moved on to Banbury in May 1941 where it stayed for the next eleven years. It was then allocated to Oxley until moving on to Tyseley in October 1962.  For a brief spell in early 1963 it was transferred to the London Midland Region, but returned to the Western Region on 24 March 1963 when it was at Severn Tunnel Junction, then at Taunton from May 1964 and finally to Barrow Road, Bristol in October 1964. It was withdrawn on 2 August 1965 and sold for scrap.

During its service it had nine different tenders and ten different boilers. The last boiler fitted No.8250 was built in January 1941 and saw service on seven assorted Halls and Granges before being fitted to 3802 in October 1963.

The locomotive’s last recorded mileage, as of 28 December 1963, was 770,383 miles, an average of  30,815 miles per annun during a 25 year period of service.

The locomotive went to Woodham’s yard at Barry where it sat out nearly 19 years before being purchased for preservation as the 154^th locomotive to leave the scrapyard in September 1984. Initially it was at the Plym Valley Railway where cosmetic restoration was undertaken. In April 1990 3802 moved over to Bodmin  for serious restoration work to commence but left for completion and major boiler overhaul at Llangollen in April 2002. Completion of the work and installation of the boiler saw the locomotive returned to steam in November 2005 and it progressed to service on Santa trains at Llangollen in December 2005. Since then the locomotive has been on the regular roster at Llangollen.

Principal Dimensions (3802 only)

Shed Allocations (3802 only)

2807 - Tender History - Information provided by Cotswold Steam Preservation Group (Owners of 2807)

Tender No. 2065 was built in 1919 and was used behind a series of 2-6-0s and 2-8-0s, followed by No. 7815 Fritwell Manor between June and December 1963 before being finally allocated to 2-8-0 No. 3802.

The restoration of the tender has progressed steadily since 1981 with a new well tank fitted, a new water tank welded inside the original plating and many original parts restored for use.

One of the final jobs in 2006 was the water test. Preparation for the test began in earnest during the September of that year. Drain taps were fitted into the well tank and on the low points of pipework. The inside of the tank was painted with waterproof paint followed by bitumen sealant.

Filling with water began on Saturday 21 October and by the end of the day the tender contained 1200 gallons of water. There were no significant problems, just a slight drip from one of the two water feed valves. The tender was left with the 1200 gallons in the tank for a fortnight to make sure all was satisfactory.

Then on Saturday 4 November the test was completed. Another 1600 gallons was poured into the tank making 2800 gallons in total. At this point it was decided that this was sufficient to test the tank. The only problems found were very small leaks from either side at the bottom of the coal chute. These leaks were welded closed once the water had been pumped out of the tank which happened on Sunday 12th November.

There was still a list of minor work outstanding when the Betton Grange Society was looking for a 3500 Gallon tender to be paired with 3802 for the gala. An agreement was struck with the Cotswold Steam Preservation group for the hire of the tender.  Part of the agreement was the completion of the tender (By the Betton Grange Society) to operational status.  I am happy to announce that this work has been completed and the tender is once again attached to the last locomotive that it was paired with.

Will Naylor, of the Betton Grange Society, said "This is a real twist of fate", referring to the revelation that the tender that would be used behind No 3802 was the very same one that the locomotive was last paired with leading up to withdrawal in 1963. Steve Price (Cotswold Steam Preservation group) added, "Being able to pair up a locomotive and tender again after all this time is a remarkable turn of events. We're very pleased to be able to assist in making this happen."

For more information on Tender No 2065 and for the latest progress reports on 2807, please visit the Cotswold Steam Preservations website which can be located at: - www.gwr2807.fsnet.co.uk  (Page will open in a new window).