‘IRoncLad’ to RepRIse RoLe foR Railway ChildRen annIveRsaRy
Repainting of Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway ‘Ironclad’ No. 957 into green livery has commenced, in preparation for next year’s 50th anniversary of The Railway Children.
Green undercoat has been applied to the wheels of the unique surviving Barton Wright 0‑6‑0, which carried a fictional ‘Great Northern & Southern Railway’ guise for its starring role as ‘The Green Dragon’ in the 1970 production.
The locomotive is being overhauled at Haworth with the aim of returning it to steam next year to mark the film’s 50th anniversary.
John Sagar, a volunteer on the project, said: “I was charged with the job of obtaining the paint for it in Manchester in June. Since nobody has a precise description of the colour used originally, and nobody can really remember it anyway, it was a matter of going out into the daylight with one of the paint firm’s reps and the biggest book of different shades of green you’ve ever seen, and then opting for what we thought was the nearest match!”
To recreate the film livery, the locomotive’s coupling rods should also be painted red – but are first undergoing inspection amid concerns about their condition.
Volunteer Mike Curtis said: “The rods are in the process of being tested for cracking and other defects. The results will determine if we need to carry out repairs, partial replacement or set a more frequent inspection regime in place.
“One has been sent to Keighley Labs for investigation of a suspected crack or flaw. It turned out to be a wrought iron rod, and the longitudinal striations were probably present since manufacture.”
The locomotive is now being reassembled, with the motion, brake gear and front bufferbeam refitted, the tender ready to be re‑coupled to the engine and the steam heat pipework in place.
Work on the boiler is also well advanced, with riveting of the firebox foundation ring complete and the stays fitted, while 200 new tubes have been ordered and the ashpan is ready for refitting.
Mr Curtis concluded: “There is a lot to do yet, so we are not promising it for completion in time for next year’s anniversary… it’s a target, not a deadline!”