The Preservation Years - 1998
Following the first test run, the locomotive still needed quite a bit of body work attention and there were also a few faults to put right that were discovered during the test.
The faulty water temperature relay was replaced and repairs carried out to the electric's for the fault lights in No.1 cab. All of the internal labels and warning signs were fitted.
Both of the traction motor blower motors had been very noisy due to worn bearings and it was decided that these should be replaced as soon as possible. Luckily, we had managed to obtain a couple of complete spare units, so these were quickly given the 'once over' painted up and installed.
B1 cylinder had not been firing properly during the test run and so a new injector was fitted but this proved to be unsuccessful as well. The fault was traced to the fuel pump not delivering enough pressure and so an adjustment had to be made.
Thursday 6th August was a tremendous day, we planned to do some more test runs only this time with a bigger load in tow. We used 9 of the GWR's Mk1 coaches and a class 25 as dead weight which added up to about 400 tons. Three full round trips over the line were carried out and I don't think any of us who were present have ever enjoyed ourselves more!
Bodywork preparation continued at full pace and on Saturday 15th August the loco was taken to the Carriage & Wagon shed at Winchcombe for the top coats to be applied. A fault with the brake selector circuitry was repaired but other than this it was two full weeks of painting, refitting the nose end louvre doors, applying the various transfers and polishing. Handrails, windscreen wipers and door handles were refitted and on Friday 25th August she was 'rolled out' - Job Done!
We returned to our base at Toddington and for the next few weeks proceeded to tinker around with a few odd jobs to finish things off. A number of test runs were successfully carried out and we took the opportunity to run '215 at weekend when the GWR required a locomotive to run along the line whilst training signalmen.
On Friday 25th September, 37215 was officially launched back into service at the GWR during a special evening for members and invited guests. Dean Tabor, the Growler Group chairman, officially handed the loco over to Garry Owen, chairman of the GWR during a short ceremony and following this '215 hauled three return trips over the line. A buffet was laid on and local brewers Goff's, produced a commemorative Real Ale - Goff's Gotherington Growler!
'215's first public outing came on the following Sunday when the booked steam engine failed and a diesel deputy was required. Then she was used at the GWR's Autumn Diesel Gala, Christmas Gala and a number of other events.
1998 was a great year for The Growler Group.