By Neil Taylor

Dear Reader,

It is with absolute delight that I am writing to inform you all that 82045's boiler is now mechanically complete. Not only that, but we now have a boiler with water in for the first time. The picture here shows Boiler Shop Technical Specialist - Dave Howell adding the first splash of water on Friday the 7th February 2025!

The Trustees would like to thank the SVR management team and specifically Dave Howell and Boilersmith Phil Rowson, for their efforts on the construction. I have been very careful with my wording in that we have completed the boiler structure, but we are not quite at the finishing line yet. We still have to prove that that structure has integrity and that it can pass a pressurisation test in order to be certified. However, there is no doubt that we are at a significant milestone.

Below is a "Press Release" which I am sending to the editors of a number of Heritage Magazines, in order that we get the good news out there. The SVR has had a rough time in the last couple of weeks and I hope that they can capitalise on this success story. The boiler was built between the SVR and The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust to an agreed time-scale and an agreed cost. It has been a very positive experience. 

Press Release - Boiler Announcement - PDF