After a successful test run and brake test 714 is now fully serviceable and B exam completed. She has received a clean and tomorrow will go on the wash road for a bogie and bodyside clean. She will return to the GCR at the end of the month, ready for her first runs over the Easter weekend.

So after 3 days of graft, dirt, grease, Anglo Saxon English, one blood blister and numerous cups of tea to regroup! No2 traction motor has been swapped out with a serviceable one, the original will go away for overhaul. A huge team effort led by Nigel Ball and supported by Loram UK as well as Europhoenix Rail Ltd has seen the task completed ahead of schedule! Tomorrow, will see a test run around the RTC , and a brake test which will complete the B exam, and then onto the wash

714 left the GCR on Thursday for the short trip to Loram, Derby for some TLC and a traction motor change. Yesterday morning she was lifted and the bogies pushed out, no1 end will see the bogie cleaned, greased and the traction motor brushes checked as part of the B exam. No2 end will have a new no2 traction motor fitted and the same TLC. More updates to follow during the visit to Loram. Heavy Tractor Group. 14.03.26

Highly Commended Unfortunately, we didn't win the category, however we were highly commended in the Team of the Year award! Given the amount of Teams involved in Heritage Railways to get to the last 4 is a huge achievement itself! Congratulations to the Southern Electric Group who won the category.

This week, 37714 had the traction motors disconnected, the brake pipes and AWS disconnected and the sanders removed, in preparation for the trip on Thursday to Loram to replace No. 2 traction motor. She will return with her B exam complete and ready for the 2026 season in a couple of weeks. We will be posting updates in the work as we progress it This Saturday, we will be in Llandudno for the HRA awards , where we have been shortlisted in the Team of the Year category! Finger