Fromthearchives
the project is active and upwardly mobile.”
Asked about opportunities for volunteers to provide hands- on support, Martin replied: “Given where the locomotive is located next to busy running lines, we are unfortunately not able to welcome casual volunteers and anyone working on No. 80150 or ‘ Sir Fred’ must hold a current MHR Personal Track Safety qualification.
“While the course for this is straightforward, it does mean that a certain amount of commitment is involved to become a working volunteer, though we do already have a pool of about 50 people we can call on for working parties.
“We can usually get between five and 10 people from that pool most weeks, which is a good number to get things done. For those who wish to follow our locomotives from home, we have a very active Friends of 80150 Facebook group with over 500 members, for which I provide regular blogs to keep everyone informed of what we’re up to.
“The MHRPS VirginMoney 80150 appeal is still very much open: http:// virginmoneygiving. com/ fund/ 80150 and I think it is very important to show our donors exactly what we are spending the money on which they have so kindly given to us.”
“I think that one of the things which has attracted somany people to the No. 80150 project is that it echoes much of the original spirit of railway preservation,” saidMartin.
“This is all about people who may not have any kind of engineering background getting involved, learning new skills, having a go andmaking a difference. Watch The Titfield Thunderbolt and you’ll get the general idea.
“I don’t have all the answers as to how to restore a steam locomotive, but I can almost certainly speak to the right people who do. The project could really do with a chief engineer to push us on to the next level, but until that person steps forward we’ll keepmoving it along ourselves.
“Our first priority post- lockdown is to play our part in securing the future of theMHR and I urge people to donate to theMHRPS general appeal. Details can be found at www. watercressline. co. uk
“However, once things are back to normal, I hope people will continue to find a place in their hearts for a tatty old tank engine, unwanted by BR, passed over by enthusiasts for decades but miraculously still with us. The Watercress locomotive is truly steam’s great survivor!”
During the course of researching this article, The Railway Magazine Archive has been an invaluable reference source. The writer thought it might be interesting to share some snippets and mentions from No. 80150’ s early days.
June 1956 issue
In a table headed ‘ British Railways Locomotive Construction Programme, 1956’, it included a batch of 20 4MT 2- 6- 4Ts numbered 80131- 80150.
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March 1957 issue
Under Locomotive Notes, Southern Region: “New standard class 4 2- 6- 4 tank locomotives 80150 and 80151 built at Brighton Works have been allocated to themotive power depot there.”
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March 1965 issue
Under Locomotive Notes, Southern Region: “The following engines have been put into store recently: … 2- 6- 4 tanks Nos. 80014, 80018 and 80150.”
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December 1965 issue
Under Locomotive Notes, Southern Region: “Locomotives withdrawn in the Southern Region for the period to October 25 were as follows:… 2- 6- 4 tank No. 80150.”
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