LNER ‘A4’ Pacific No. 4464 (60019) Bittern is to be returned to service for the main line by volunteers from the Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust (SNGLT), working together with Locomotive Services Group (LSL).
Building on the existing agreement for LSL to operate ‘A4’ No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley on the main line, SNGLT has established a separate trading entity, SNG Engineering Ltd. (SNGE).
The overhaul will be carried out at a new engineering and storage facility at an as yet undisclosed location in North Yorkshire. The facility, which is already secured, will be an LSL establishment but occupied by SNGE.
Once the site is up and running, expected to be in 2024, Bittern will be transferred from its current storage location in the old Hornby building at the One:One Collection in Margate for dismantling to get underway.
The boiler, which is thought to be in reasonable condition, will be taken to Crewe where it will be overhauled in LSL’s boilershop, while the chassis will be overhauled by the SNGE team in parallel with the boiler work. Reassembly will also be carried out by SNGE. Timescales are expected to see Bittern return to steam in time for the two ‘Streaks’ to be on the main line together.
Discussions
SNGLT said the project has been firmly part of the plan from the early days
