‘Clan’ frames within reach as fund nears the finishing line

The Standard Steam Locomotive Company is within a hair’s breadth of being able to assemble the frames of ‘Clan’ No. 72010 Hengist ‑ with 95% of the required funds now in the bank. A mere £2,500 ‑ a tiny sum in railway preservation terms, and even more so in the world of new‑build ‑ is now left to make up the estimated £50,000 cost of having the frames assembled by Ian Riley Engineering during 2017. However, the group is not taking its foot off the fundraising pedal, said Commercial Director Bob Ife: “Further funding is coming in all the time, and the more we can raise the better, as there are bound to be incidental items in the assembly process that are not as simple as at first sight.” The assembly process will include the fitting of the rear frame extensions (underneath the firebox), ready for the construction of the rear dragbox ‑ for which quotes are already being sought. Said Bob: “It has not yet been decided if the dragbox will be cast steel or fabricated. Both were used in BR days and are therefore authentic, and either is acceptable to the VAB inspectors. Once the costs are known for both types, a decision will be made on which to select.” The next port of call for the completed frames will be Stephenson Engineering of Manchester ‑ where they will be sent upside down for the fitting of the axlebox horn guides, together with the frame keeps (also known as axlebox keeps or horn stays) and the machining of their mounting feet (part of the combined frame stretcher castings). Temporary frame keeps will be fitted during their movement, to ensure that the rigidity of the frame structure is maintained. Donations to No. 72010 can be made online at www. theclanproject.org or sent to The Clan Project, PO Box 295, St Austell PL25 9FG.