The SVR remained closed until August which meant that 2857 covered a very small fraction of its normal mileage in 2020. That said, the loco has worked virtually daily throughout August without putting a foot (a wheel?) wrong. In fact, the only reported fault in nearly 40 days of running was that the brake blocks on the loco were getting worn!

By the end of 2020, the much repaired ashpan on the loco had become critically distorted such that its future viability for the remaining boiler certificate was in doubt.

As part of a yet another fleet wide replacement program, both safety valve springs have been replaced. It was clear from the process of re-setting the valves that these new springs were a very worthy investment, being far more responsive, while they should hold their set pressure far better than the originals.

It is now evident that a re-tyre will be necessary at the next overhaul. This is made even more apparent by the drop in ride height and the occasional bookings of horn tie bolts coming into contact with springs. Three driving springs were replaced. It is thought this is partly due to the low ride height arising from the thin tyres (a known issue on GWR locos) causing the springs to have very little room for deflection, causing them to act more as a solid shock absorber on some of the worse bits of track.

The links from the front driving springs to the equalising cross-beam for the pony truck were found to be severely worn. Replacements have been machined at Bridgnorth from EN16T steel, as opposed to the forged original components.