The First Boiler Ticket

3850 returned to steam at Tyseley in November 2005. Originally it was in non-standard GWR green with a copper capped chimney and was later returned to the correct black BR livery and re-united with it`s original chimney. 

13/12/04, on the West Somerset Railway.

Mike drums up support for 3850 in the shed at Minehead, 18/03/06

During its period in preservation she has covered 82,000 miles – 79,000 on the West Somerset Railway, with short visits to the Great Central and Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railways making up the rest. 

Departing Bishops Lydeard, 15/08/08

Ascending Washford Bank, 28/12/08, NB, incorrect copper capped chimney

 She steamed for 1202 days in revenue earning service. During the period, the loco has proved a reliable and robust performer – she was seen at the head of some heavy incoming charters in her last weeks at the West Somerset. Part way through service we had to undertake a fairly major repair when a number of frame extension bolts were found to be loose (and while we were doing this we took the opportunity to change the livery to black) – apart from this work only routine maintenance has been required. 

 A first visit to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWSR) was during May/June 2014 for the "Back to Black" gala (for which three of the four DMLL locos were together for the first time since Barry and the first time that DMLL had had two locos in steam at the same time & place.

Back to Black gala 27/5/14, to the right of the post, 7820, Dinmore Manor, 3850 & 2874, all DMLL locos

 A 30742 photo charter event took place on the GWSR on the evening of 18/5/14

Bursting out of Greet tunnel

Silhouetted at Gotherington

The West Somerset Railway very kindly agreed to release 3850 two weeks before the expiry of her boiler ticket to participate in a few events on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway at the end of September 2015.

During the DMLL Shareholders day 25/9/15

Crossing 2807 at Winchcombe.

 There was another 30742 Charters event with 3850 on 28/09/15:

On Chicken Curve

Pan shot at Didbrook

Observed by horses on Stanway Viaduct

Approaching Greet tunnel

 Her final day in traffic, 30/09/15 was notable in that DMLL's vice chairman, Mike Solloway was passed out as a fireman on her at the GWSR.

Mike and 3850

However, now the time has come for the heavy overhaul – this is being undertaken at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway at Toddington and already the pile of parts removed is extensive and one or two of the components have already been renovated and are in store ready to go back.