'Bradley Manor' was amongst the first batch of Manors to leave Swindon Works in January 1938, and 'Erlestoke Manor' followed twelve months later, one of the last batch built prior to the war. Initially 'Bradley Manor' was dispatched to Old Oak Common, the first of the class to be shedded there, quite possibly to show off the new class in the London area. In truth, probably very little useful work would have been found for it and within four months it was transferred to Bristol where, shortly to be joined by 'Erlestoke', it was employed on cross country work around Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and South Wales. In April 1946, 'Bradley' was transferred, after a brief spell at Oswestry, to Aberystwyth, and thereafter stayed resident in one or other of the ex Cambrian sheds, (except for a very brief period at Tyseley), until it was withdrawn in late 1965. During this period, it became a well known performer on 'The Cambrian Coast Express' along with 'Erlestoke Manor'.
Interestingly, the recent boiler swap between the two locomotives was not the first, for in April 1948 'Erlestoke' was relieved of boiler number 14/6406 for a replacement and this was subsequently fitted to 'Bradley' in November of that year following repair. Also tender number 2353 was used by each engine at some point of their lives. During GWR/BR running, 'Bradley' used eleven boilers and dragged fifteen tenders, whilst 'Erlestoke' used ten and thirteen respectively. At the time of withdrawal 'Bradley' had covered approximately 900,000 miles and 'Erlestoke' had clocked up 800,000, each receiving six heavy repairs at Swindon along the way.
Many thanks again to http://www.erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/ take a look yourselves
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