Above: The Foxcote Manor shed under construction in 1986, adjacent to the original goods shed, in Llangollen yard. (Bill Shakespeare)

In 1986 7822 moved to Llangollen, the first movement under its own power coming on 11th September 1987, and entry into service in 1988. It rapidly became an integral part of the Railway, and was a regular performer on the line until cracks were discovered in the outer firebox early in 1997, and the decision was taken that it was time for a ten-yearly overhaul. This was completed in around 2½ years, somewhat less than the first restoration; having a complete kit of parts is an enormous advantage! Nevertheless it was also an expensive operation again, with major repairs to the boiler required. It culminated in a return to service after a ceremony on 29th August 1999.

Above: Shortly after its second overhaul at Llangollen, Foxcote Manor coasts into Glyndyfrdwy station. (John Joyce)

Shed Allocations

Oswestry

89A

1951

Chester

84K

1954

Oswestry

89A

1958

Machynlleth

6F

1963

Shrewsbury

6D

1965

Oswestry

1974

Llangollen

November 1985

Principal Dimensions

Wheel arrangement

4-6-0

Power classification

D

Nominal tractive effort

27,340 lbs

Weight (including tender)

109 tons

Wheel diameters

5'8", 3'0"

Cylinders

Two 18" x 30"

Boiler pressure

225psi

Valve gear

Stephenson

Route Availability

Blue

The Foxcote Manor Society

Formed in 1974 to restore Foxcote Manor, the work of the Society goes on, even after the original restoration and a subsequent overhaul. Today's FMS has plenty of work to do; cleaning, maintenance, meeting the public, and arranging social events and fundraising. Its members are spread throughout the UK, and even a few in other parts of the world. Members come from all walks of life, including some of the men who worked on the footplate during her BR life, and many who enjoy working with her on the Llangollen Railway.

There is a nucleus of regular working members; those who cannot visit so often are kept in touch with newsletters. The Society is a Registered Charity and has a separate identity from the Llangollen Railway, although it enjoys a very special relationship with the line.

For more than ten years, Foxcote Manor has given much pleasure to everyone at Llangollen Railway, whether they were visitors or members. Many call it 'the' Llangollen engine. 7822 was recommissioned in 1999, following an overhaul which cost many thousands of pounds. The Foxcote Manor Society's principal job continues to be fund-raising and management of cash resources. If you can help in any way, please join us. Donations are welcome too. Please do get in touch, either c/o Llangollen station, or by e-mail to gordon@heddon01.freeserve.co.uk.

The Society also has its own website: www.foxcotemanor.com

Last updated 24rd March 2007  by John Rutter - email webmaster

Above: Foxcote Manor awaits rescue from Barry scrapyard on 18th July 1968. (Mark Hoofe)

With its light axle weight, the Manor class were ideal for both passenger and goods trains over secondary routes, such as the Cambrian line and the Ruabon to Barmouth line, of which Llangollen Railway is a preserved section. Foxcote Manor regularly hauled the Cambrian Coast Express from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, and on one occasion the Royal Train. In 1965, 7822 was withdrawn and sold to a scrapyard in Barry, South Wales. Here it rested until 1974 when it was purchased in 1974 by the specially-formed Foxcote Manor Society. It moved to Oswestry, headquarters of the Cambrian Railway Society, where restoration progressed slowly.

Above: 7822 Foxcote Manor is seen on Oswestry MPD on 27th August 1961. (Mark Hoofe)

The Manor class of two-cylinder 4-6-0 tender engines was designed by C. B. Collett, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Great Western Railway. A first batch of 20 was built at Swindon in 1938. A second batch of ten was delivered in 1950, to what had become Britiish Railways (Western Region). 7822 was one of the post-war batch, and was allocated to Oswestry depot when new. It spent its whole working life in Shropshire, Cheshire and North and Mid Wales.

Foxcote Manor - 7822

7822 at Crewe “Great Gathering” in September 2005

Above and Far Right

Running round at Llangollen Station

Left: At the Steam Gala Weekend in September 2006, 7822 brings the demonstration freight train into Glyndyfrdwy passing 5643 which is temporarily sidelined with a hot axle box

Right: In Llangollen Shed awaiting wheels following new tyre fitting and turning on 6th March 2004

Left: A shot down the boiler whilst 7822 was in Llangollen Shed undergoing minor repairs

VIDEO LINK 1

7822 runs round at Carrog

VIDEO LINK 2

7822 takes the Mold Camera Club Charter from Carrog

7822 motion & pistons under maintenance in the Shed on 9th March 2008

Photo - John Rutter

Photos above both By Ted Buckley. Ted Writes: (LH Photo) I guess this could be the stabling yard of any ex-GW shed, but in fact this photo was taken on my first visit to Barry, on 2nd March 1969. The locos lined up on view are as follows: extreme left 75014, and tucked in behind, 7819 “Hinton Manor”, second row 7822 “Foxcote Manor”, centre row, 5972 “Olton Hall” with 4121 behind, and on the right, 5043 “Earl of Mount Edgcumbe”.

RH Photo: By 28th July 1973, no 7822 was already in the hands of rescuers, and left the yard in January 1975. Here, she has received a rub down and a fresh coat of paint, although the boiler banding needs some attention. Facing the Manor is the front of LMS 4F 44422, currently (April/May 2008) guesting at Llangollen.

Photos and Captions - Ted Buckley

7822 runs round at Carrog during the Autumn Gala 2007

Photo George Jones