NEWS IN BRIEF

1759: Cab and running plate steps have been made for the ‘G5’ 0‑4‑4T, while engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald Ltd has completed its 86‑page report on the testing and certification of the crank axle (SR462). Open days at the G5 Locomotive Company’s Shildon base recommenced on March 4, and will be held on the first Saturday of each month, from 10am to 1pm. 6880: The first sections of the boiler cladding have been made for Betton Grange, and parts of the sanding gear trial‑fitted. £183,000 has now been raised towards the £225,000 appeal for the overhaul of the boiler at Tyseley. 60163: Peppercorn ‘A1’ Tornado has now run over 90,000 miles since it was completed in 2008. The milestone was reached at Cosford, on the Wolverhampton‑ Shrewsbury line, while hauling the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust’s ‘Red Rose’ railtour from London Victoria to Shrewsbury on February 11. 72010: CAD drawings have been produced for the cylinders of ‘Clan’ 4‑6‑2 Hengist, with the production of the wooden patterns to start within the next two months. The final components for the frames, including the front and central stretchers, have been sent to CTL Seal of Sheffield for machining. BROWN BEAR: Machining of the coupling rods, reversing lever and brake gear for the Groudle Glen Railway’s 2‑4‑0T has been completed. This year, the locomotive’s bottom half will be assembled and a start made on the construction of the boiler, with a projected steaming date of late 2018.