THE ROSTER
LOCOMOTIVES IN FOCUS
GWR & CONSTITUENTS
2807: Work commenced on the overhaul of the boiler from Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd’s ‘28XX’ 2-8-0 at Riley & Son (E) Ltd in late June. The firebox foundation ring was being removed, with the smokebox to follow.
Other than small components taken home by CSPL volunteers (SR505), no work has been undertaken on the engine since the Covid-19 lockdown, with access to Toddington restricted by social distancing measures.
7027: Restoration of Thornbury Castle has restarted at the Great Central Railway following the lockdown, with the frames of the Collett 4-6-0 lifted off the driving wheels on June 16.
A new shield plate has been made for the whistles, while the tender axleboxes and components for the bogie have been restored. An appeal for missing parts for the ex-Barry engine has yielded vacuum and steam-heating gauges, and a gauge glass protector, while a new boiler water gauge frame and brake valve have been cast, the latter using the original Swindon pattern.
7754: The ‘57XX’ pannier is on course to return to steam at the Llangollen Railway next year – if £10,000 can be raised to complete its overhaul.
Work on the Collett engine’s boiler is at an advanced stage, with a new section of copper lap seam welded into its firebox, and welding repairs also completed on the steel around the firehole. The next steps are to fit patch screws in the lap seam, and new washout plugs, before the tubes can be added and the boiler hydraulically tested. Project leader Andy Maxwell estimated that a “realistic timescale” is for the boiler to be lifted back into the frames in mid-March 2021, followed by piping-up and testing during June or July. By the time this issue goes on sale, he added, the repaired pannier tanks and new tank balance pipe should have been tested by filling them with water.
Of the £10,000 figure, £6,000 is needed to machine the brake valve. A fundraising scheme has been set up for supporters to donate £77.54 each, with 50 members having already signed up. For details of how to donate, contact Paul Bailey, Dolwen, Bryneglwys, Corwen, Denbighshire, LL21 9LY or email paulbaileywincham@yahoo.co.uk
LMS & CONSTITUENTS
957: Fifty years after it starred as ‘The Green Dragon’ in the 1970 production of The Railway Children, the LYR ‘Ironclad’ is receiving the same livery once again.
The bright green ‘Great Northern & Southern Railway’ topcoat has been reapplied to the tender, cab and wheels of the Barton Wright 0-6-0, as its overhaul nears completion at Haworth on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Hydraulic tests have been carried out on the locomotive’s boiler; a preliminary test on July 2 took it up to 185lbs/sq in (its full working pressure being 140lbs) with most of the backhead fittings in place and only a couple of minor leaks from packings. A second, satisfactory test was carried out on July 12, and the official insurance test was due to take place on July 17. A steam test will follow, but a date has not been set.
“Other work on the bottom end has included the completion of gland packing and inspection of the coupling rods,” added Mr Curtis, the latter being expected to be refitted to the engine by the time this issue goes on sale. “The frames are ready to take the boiler as and when.”
BR STANDARD & WD
71000: Duke of Gloucester’s overhaul is getting under way again at Tyseley Locomotive Works following the hiatus caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
Welding work has been completed on the driving wheels prior to the fitting of their new stub axles. They have been sent to the Boro Foundry for re-boring, while the roller bearing cannon boxes have also returned to the Birmingham works from overhaul at Metalock. Once the manganese horn liners have been refitted to the boxes, they and the driving wheels will be sent to South Devon Railway Engineering for new tyres and the reassembly of the crank axle.
The Riddles ‘Pacific’s’ centre cylinder is also being machined following a stitch-welding repair, and once this is done the air pump can be refitted and the boiler returned to the frames. The ashpan is also being rebuilt, ensuring that the faces of the hopper and damper doors are airtight.
In preparation for its return to the main line, a method of safe working under Covid-19 conditions has been drawn up for the support crew.
90733: “A significant amount of work was in progress or completed” on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway-based WD 2-8-0 before work was suspended for the lockdown, reports volunteer Andy Simkins.
Its boiler had been lifted and sent to Ian Riley’s works, where it is now awaiting the go-ahead for its overhaul to commence. On the bottom end at Haworth, the spring compensating gear was being worked on, the slidebars had been machined and new whitemetal applied to the crossheads, as well as cleaning and repainting of the frames prior to overhaul ofthe axleboxes and re-wheeling. A pattern is needed for a replacement front cylinder cover, as well as two new piston heads.
Donations towards the overhaul will be gratefully received at The Railway Station, Haworth, West Yorkshire, BD22 8NJ.
MISCELLANEOUS
Metropolitan Railway No. 1: After spending the 2019 season at the Epping Ongar Railway, the Quainton Railway Society’s celebrity 0-4-4T (see page 90) is now back at its Buckinghamshire Railway Centre base for overhaul. Work had commenced on stripping it and the boiler was ready to be lifted when the lockdown hit, said chairman Ben Jackson. A crane will be hired to carry out this task when other planned lifting jobs on the site can be coordinated.