Less
drizzle in the air and more light on the subject as BR Standard Class 2
No. 78022 ran around its carriages at Oxenhope. A complete credit to
the railway and the renovators - Photo © Andrew - https://www.flickr.com/photos/38986305@N06/45845905435/
Well, the Easter holidays are nearly over, the clocks have changed, and 2026 continues unabated. It's probably my age, but it seems to me at least that the years fly by at express passenger speeds. I'd like to say that I enjoyed the Easter weekend, but alas, I was marooned in my ticket office at Worcester on late shifts, with Easter Sunday thrown in for good measure! An out-of-order ticket vending machine (TVM) was the cherry on top, too. Anyway, onwards and upwards.
As long-term readers of this blog will know, I am rather partial to a BR 'Standard', with the GWSR having hosted several examples over the years, of varying shapes and sizes. Not forgetting, of course, our very own standard No. 76077, whose restoration to steam draws ever closer. Thus, without further ado, I am pleased to reveal our fourth gala visitor for the 'Cotswold Festival of Steam 2026' (23rd - 25th May). The opening photograph is a bit of a giveaway, but a versatile and popular 72-year-old British Railways mixed-traffic 2-6-0 is to join the roster. The locomotive in question is BR Standard Class 2MT 2-6-0 Mogul No. 78022, and is appearing courtesy of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR).
78022 on 15:45 Keighley - Oxenhope @ Keighley WVR - Photo © Martin Elsey - https://flickr.com/photos/79222558@N04/51573774108
Time for a bit of history on these versatile BR 2MT 2-6-0s - Some of this is taken from my 2023 blog on 78019.
The BR Standard 2 2-6-0s were derived from the earlier LMS Ivatt 2-6-0 moguls, of which 65 were constructed at Darlington Works between 1952 & 1956. They were assigned the 78XXX number range (78000–78064) and predominantly designed for light passenger work. From a mechanical perspective, they were virtually identical to their Ivatt predecessors, with some changes made to the controls and cab to enable the locomotives to fit within a universal loading gauge. Grease lubrication points were added along with the use of BR standard injectors and clacks.
The locomotives were fitted with BR3 3,000-gallon tenders, which, like the Ivatt moguls, featured a tender cab to improve visibility and crew protection when operating tender first. A further improvement with the tender involved using Timken roller bearings on the wheelsets. The locomotives gained a reputation amongst crews for being very sure-footed and soon received the nickname ‘Mickey Mouse’ (as did their LMS Ivatt brethren). Speaking of LMS Ivatts, readers will remember that 46521 visited us four years ago for CFoS 2022 and then stayed with us throughout the summer holidays.
The locomotives were fitted with BR3 3,000-gallon tenders, which, like the Ivatt moguls, featured a tender cab to improve visibility and crew protection when operating tender first. A further improvement with the tender involved using Timken roller bearings on the wheelsets. The locomotives gained a reputation amongst crews for being very sure-footed and soon received the nickname ‘Mickey Mouse’ (as did their LMS Ivatt brethren). Speaking of LMS Ivatts, readers will remember that 46521 visited us four years ago for CFoS 2022 and then stayed with us throughout the summer holidays.
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BR
Riddles Standard Class "2MT" 2-6-0 No.78022 in BR lined black livery
with 1956 totem at Haworth Shed on the Keighley & Worth Valley
Railway, 04/93. Scanned from one of my photographs taken on a Canon ES-1
Programme - Photo © Hugh Llewelyn CC BY-SA 2.0
All
65 locomotives were in service by the start of 1957, with up to 10
being allocated to the Western Region (WR) between 1955 and 1966.
Standard 2s could be found at Hereford (86C), Machynlleth (89C),
Oswestry (89A), Worcester (85A) and Gloucester. Between 1962 and
December 1965, a small number were allocated between Gloucester Barnwood
(85E/85C) and Gloucester Horton Road (85B), including: 78001, 78004,
78005, 78006 & 78009. Barnwood shed closed on the 4th May 1964,
which resulted in 3 being transferred to Horton Road - records indicate
that these locomotives were: 78001, 78005 & 78006. Before and after
the merger of the Gloucester sheds, one of the Standard 2s' regular
workings was the goods on the ex-Midland branch from Stonehouse to
Stroud, Dudbridge, Woodchester and Nailsworth. The class were also used
on passenger workings between Hereford and Gloucester and beyond.
Gloucester Horton Road shed was closed to steam on the 1st January 1966. Withdrawals of the class started in late 1963, with the final examples being withdrawn in May 1967.
Gloucester Horton Road shed was closed to steam on the 1st January 1966. Withdrawals of the class started in late 1963, with the final examples being withdrawn in May 1967.
78022 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - Photo © Tony Oldroyd - https://www.flickr.com/photos/23398841@N00/21002929319/
BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78022 Locomotive History
78022 was completed at Darlington in May 1954 and spent the next eight years working in the Yorkshire area. Between 1954 and early 1962, the locomotive was based at Sheffield Millhouses (19B). It subsequently moved on to Doncaster (36A) when Millhouses depot was closed in January 1962. Over the next four years, the '2MT' would spend time at Stratford (London) (30A), March (31B), Barrow in Furness (12E), Aintree (27B) and finally Lostock Hall (10B), where it was used as a station pilot at Preston. 78022 was withdrawn from BR service in September 1966 - Like many of the BR Standard classes, the Standard 2s sadly had a very short life in active service. In hindsight, it was very short-sighted, but the writing was on the wall with dieselisation picking up pace.
78022 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Canon EOS 50E using Fuji Film - Photo © Tony Oldroyd - https://www.flickr.com/photos/23398841@N00/4297527148/
Like many redundant steam locomotives of the period, it was sold to Woodham Brothers scrapyard at Barry, arriving in March 1967. It remained at Barry for eight years, awaiting scrapping, until the growth of the preservation movement created an opportunity for rescue. In 1975, the Standard 4 Locomotive Society, already owners of BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No. 75078, returned to Barry seeking another locomotive.
Their original aim had been to acquire a Standard Class 4 2-6-0, but with none available, they selected 78022 as a practical alternative. Although smaller and less powerful, its 2-6-0 configuration made it well suited to the operating conditions of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR). The locomotive was purchased for £5,250 and transported to the KWVR, arriving in June 1975. It was offloaded at Haworth on 11th June 1975, then stored initially at Oakworth until 1978, while work continued on 75078.
Their original aim had been to acquire a Standard Class 4 2-6-0, but with none available, they selected 78022 as a practical alternative. Although smaller and less powerful, its 2-6-0 configuration made it well suited to the operating conditions of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR). The locomotive was purchased for £5,250 and transported to the KWVR, arriving in June 1975. It was offloaded at Haworth on 11th June 1975, then stored initially at Oakworth until 1978, while work continued on 75078.
After several years in storage, 78022 underwent a complete strip-down beginning around 1978, with full restoration work commencing in 1981. This was a substantial, long-term project involving: Extensive rebuilding from ex-scrapyard condition, installation of a new tender tank costing £4,000, and a comprehensive mechanical and structural overhaul. The restoration ultimately cost approximately £70,000, reflecting both the locomotive’s condition and the scale of work required. By 1991, the rebuild was effectively complete, and the locomotive returned to steam in 1992, entering full service by 1993 (around 18 years after leaving Barry).
Once operational, 78022 proved to be a highly useful and popular locomotive on the KWVR. In 1995, the locomotive was fitted with a Giesl ejector, following similar experimentation on 34092 City of Wells. The aim was to improve steaming efficiency; however, the results were mixed, and it was removed a year later. Following the expiry of its boiler certificate at the end of 2000, 78022 was withdrawn from service. It was subsequently placed on static display in the museum at Oxenhope, where it remained for over a decade, awaiting a future overhaul.
Once operational, 78022 proved to be a highly useful and popular locomotive on the KWVR. In 1995, the locomotive was fitted with a Giesl ejector, following similar experimentation on 34092 City of Wells. The aim was to improve steaming efficiency; however, the results were mixed, and it was removed a year later. Following the expiry of its boiler certificate at the end of 2000, 78022 was withdrawn from service. It was subsequently placed on static display in the museum at Oxenhope, where it remained for over a decade, awaiting a future overhaul.
78022’s return to steam began in the mid-2010s, when the locomotive was moved to Haworth between 2014 and 2015 and stripped down for a full assessment. Work formally commenced following the return to service of 75078 in February 2015, allowing attention to shift to 78022. The overhaul proved extensive, with major components requiring specialist attention. The boiler and wheelsets were sent to Riley & Sons at Heywood, where the wheelsets were also fitted with new tyres. Meanwhile, the frames were refurbished at Haworth and had been successfully re-wheeled by the end of 2017. Altogether, the overhaul was estimated to cost in the region of £200,000.
Progress on the overhaul accelerated during 2018, and in June, the boiler was refitted to the frames, marking a significant milestone in the rebuild. By August, a fire was lit in the locomotive for the first time since withdrawal, and it successfully passed its insurance examination. Test runs followed in September 2018, demonstrating that the locomotive was once again fit for service. In November 2018, 78022 officially re-entered traffic, turned out in lined BR green livery.
Progress on the overhaul accelerated during 2018, and in June, the boiler was refitted to the frames, marking a significant milestone in the rebuild. By August, a fire was lit in the locomotive for the first time since withdrawal, and it successfully passed its insurance examination. Test runs followed in September 2018, demonstrating that the locomotive was once again fit for service. In November 2018, 78022 officially re-entered traffic, turned out in lined BR green livery.
78022 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - Photo © Derek Dye - CC BY-SA 2.0
During the winter of 2023–2024, the locomotive underwent a mid-term boiler retube as part of routine maintenance to ensure continued reliability. This work was completed in time for the 2024 Steam Gala, at which the locomotive returned to traffic and resumed its duties.
In April 2025, it was reported that ownership of 78022 had been formally transferred from the Standard 4 Locomotive Preservation Society to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society. This transfer marked an important step in securing the locomotive’s long-term future, placing it fully under the stewardship of the railway on which it has operated for decades. Looking ahead, 78022’s current ten-year boiler certificate is due to expire in 2028.
In April 2025, it was reported that ownership of 78022 had been formally transferred from the Standard 4 Locomotive Preservation Society to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society. This transfer marked an important step in securing the locomotive’s long-term future, placing it fully under the stewardship of the railway on which it has operated for decades. Looking ahead, 78022’s current ten-year boiler certificate is due to expire in 2028.
BR 2MT No.78022 and BR 4MT No.75078 are seen hauling passenger services on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. After 53 years, the two locomotives were formally handed over to the KWVR by the Standard 4 Locomotive Society. To celebrate the occasion, the pair double-headed services on 7th June 2025 - Video © Steaming Around Yorkshire
Tickets for the Festival are available online at https://gwsr.com/whats-on/cotswold-festival-of-steam-2026/.
With up to eight steam locomotives running, it will offer an
action-packed timetable of trains, including goods trains and shunting
demonstrations. The locomotive and carriage & wagon workshops will
throw open their doors for rare behind-the-scenes visits and there will
be plenty of other activity at the railway’s stations. The opportunity
to travel behind another visiting ‘Standard’ is not to be missed.
BR Standard Class 2 78022 at Oxenhope during The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Railcar Gala 281023 - Photo © Foulger Rail Photos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/15507655@N05/53292957015/
BR 2MT 78022 & Ivatt 2MT 41241 on-shed during March 2026 - Photo courtesy of Dan Wigg
For those of you who use Facebook, here are a number of GWSR related groups which are worth following:
DMLL - Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd
2874 - The 2874 Trust
35006 - 35006 Group
76077 - Standard Locomotive 76077
THL - The Honeybourne Line - a GWR mainline in the making
The GWSR recently launched a new website, and the various department blogs can all be found here.
Anyway,
that's all I have for today. More updates and gala announcements will be chuffing
along in due course.
78022 locomotive history based on information from the BR Database, KWVR. and Preserved British Steam Locomotives.
Alex (the sooty one!).
* Please Note: All locomotives are subject to availability and changes may be made at short notice.
All published photographs and videos are my own unless otherwise stated/credited.
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