BR 3MT 82045

The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust is in the process of building a new member of the extinct Riddles BR 3MT 2‑6‑2 82000 tank class. Unlike many of the current new-build projects, which are aiming to recreate larger main-line types, the new loco is intended specifically for heritage-line use.

The Swindon-built Riddles Class 3 engines (82000 prairie tanks and 77000 moguls) were somewhat different to many of the other BR Standard designs, which were essentially developments of LMS types. As no existing LMS boiler was available which would suit a Class 3 loco, whilst still allowing weight to be kept within acceptable limits, it was decided to use a slightly adapted version of the Swindon No.2 boiler as fitted to the GWR Large Prairies and 56XX 0-6-2 tanks, with the barrel shortened by 5 13/16 inches.

The result was a neat, well-proportioned tank loco and an (arguably) elegant mogul. It is true to say that both types displayed a certain originality of design, and they may be regarded as Swindon’s final fling with steam.

The 82000 class started to appear in 1952 and worked on branch line and secondary main line duties, widely distributed throughout England and Wales.

A loco numbered “82045” should have been built at Swindon as part of British Railway Lot 415 and would have entered service early in 1956 had the Modernisation Plan not intervened, resulting in the cancellation of the order. The class as planned should have numbered 63 locomotives, but only 45 were built, numbered 82000-82044, which were rendered redundant by line closures and the introduction of DMUs well before they were life-expired.

The last locos of the class were withdrawn by BR in 1967, and all had been scrapped by the following year.  Thoughts of preserving one were thwarted by lack of money – even allowing for inflation, most people’s disposable income at the time was a lot lower than now!

The idea of building a new loco of the type, to be numbered 82045, following on the sequence of those actually built, started to bear fruit with the newly cut frames being delivered to Bridgnorth in 2008.  Since then, much work has been done, with the loco now being a rolling chassis on all its wheels, with cylinders, bunker and smokebox in position.

One major task was the building of the boiler, which was contracted to the full-time SVR boilersmiths at Bridgnorth.

We all look forward to the time it is complete, and when it pulls its first train!