ROUND TABLE APPEAL FOR SR ‘KING ARTHUR’ REBIRTH
A ‘Knights of the Round Table’ appeal has been launched to fund the overhaul of ‘King Arthur’ Sir Lamiel, following the announcement that the National Collection 4-6-0 would steam again (SR508).
Launched on July 23, the scheme invites supporters to sponsor each of the original 74 named ‘N15s’ for £1,000. Sponsor’s names will be engraved on a round table, which its custodian group, the 5305 Locomotive Association, says will be prominently displayed at the Great Central Railway, in addition to other donor incentives.
The ‘Knights of the Round Table’ fund had raised £14,000 as this issue went to press. Smaller contributions can be made in due course towards the £80,000 appeal.
Working parties have begun stripping Sir Lamiel at its Great Central Railway base in readiness for a detailed boiler examination, which will reveal the true extent of the necessary work involved.
5305LA chairman Alan Berck-May told Steam Railway: “All superheater elements have been removed, along with the concrete smokebox floor and main steam pipes, which will allow 5305LA to remove the blastpipe and small tubes, ahead of inspection. In addition, the chimney petticoat has been removed and inspected, and is considered beyond repair; we are therefore looking for an interested party to sponsor the manufacture of a new petticoat, estimated at £2,000.”
Interested parties should contact comms@5305la.org.uk
As detailed last issue, it is planned to return the engine to steam in 2023 in order for it to be recertified for main line running, in time for its centenary in 2025.
Visit www.sirlamiel.org.uk