IN BRIEF

• SR VAN FOR MIDDLETON

The Middleton Railway has acquired another Southern Railway-designed Parcels and Miscellaneous Van (PMV) to form the basis of a fourth carriage. Van No. 2223 is expected to move from the East Lancashire Railway when the coronavirus pandemic allows, joining the Middleton’s existing PMVs that have been converted to passenger carriages. The total cost of acquisition and conversion to a passenger coach is expected to be in the region of £14,500, and the work will take two years.

• NEW BOILER FOR CHARWELTON

A new boiler being constructed for Manning Wardle ‘15in Special’ 0-6-0ST Charwelton is well advanced. The firebox is all but complete and fitted with girder stays, while the barrel and outer firebox wrapper have been brought together. A new cylinder block has also been made for the 1917-built locomotive, which is owned by the Rother Valley Railway and was taken out of traffic at the Kent & East Sussex Railway during 2017.

• TANKS TO TYNESIDE

A pair of tank wagons moved from the Ribble Steam Railway to the North Tyneside Steam Railway in late May. The four-wheeled tanks made the move as part of plans by the Percy Main-based line to better interpret the types of trains seen in the area during the 1950s and 1960s when trains ran to the nearby Esso terminal.

• ‘AUSTERITY’ BOILER TO WORKS

The boiler of ex-Wemyss Private Railway ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST

No. 15 moved from the Vale of Berkeley Railway to the Flour Mill on May 25, for a replacement tubeplate and re-tubing to complete the boiler overhaul. The bottom end of the Andrew Barclaybuilt engine is complete at the VoBR’s Sharpness Docks base.