The Roster
Overhauls, restorations and running notes
GWR & CONSTITUENTS 2807
Following the first lockdown, Cotswold Steam Preservation Ltd volunteers were able to recommence the dismantling of their ‘28XX’ 2-8-0 at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Its cylinders have been re-bored on site by Riley & Son (E) Ltd, which is also overhauling the boiler under contract at Heywood. The boiler is reported to be in better condition than expected, with only the bottom third of the smokebox needing to be replaced and some remedial work to the firebox backhead – instead of a whole new smokebox and the replacement of three quarters of the backhead, as had been feared.
5619
After just over two years on loan to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway, this ‘56XX’ is moving on to the Epping Ongar Railway.
The Collett 0-6-2T was given a special farewell day in steam at the SCR on October 25, and was due to leave for the
EOR as this issue was going to press. Its move dashes the SCR’s hopes of lining up three examples of the class for the first time in preservation, with resident classmate No. 6695 nearing a return to steam and No. 5637 having recently arrived for overhaul.
“But never say never,” commented SCR publicity manager Allan Bott. “It is something we’d like to do, and 5619 has been an invaluable asset to us.”
Owned by the Telford Horsehay Steam Trust but managed by the Flour Mill, No. 5619 will work the EOR’s ‘Santa Specials’ and ‘Epping Ongar Light Fantastic’ illuminated festive trains, as well as taking part in the New Year Steam Gala on January 1/2. “The plan is for the locomotive to stay with us until June 2021 at least,” said Dean Walton, the line’s business development manager.
The EOR’s working resident GWR engine, No. 4953 Pitchford Hall, will also take a share of the festive trains, but a planned visit to the Dartmouth Steam Railway is “very uncertain at present and on hold” said Mr Walton. Finally, the EOR’s resident ‘Large Prairie’ No. 4141 remains under overhaul at Locomotive Maintenance Services of Loughborough, although the EOR is now carrying out some of the work in-house.
7812
Work on the boiler of Erlestoke Manor is nearing completion at Tyseley Locomotive Works, with all its tubes and superheater flues fitted. Replacement of rivets around the firehole door is also complete, leaving only the fitting of the few remaining new firebox stays, and dressing of weld repairs to the copper firebox, before it is ready for its hydraulic test.
The major mechanical work on the Collett 4-6-0 is also at an advanced stage, with the slidebars and vacuum brake cylinder refitted; the new pistons and rods, re-metalled crossheads, and the connecting rods remain to be fitted.
Its owner, the Erlestoke Manor Fund, is appealing for funds to help return it and classmate No. 7802 Bradley Manor to steam (the latter is receiving new cylinders after it suffered a smashed righthand cylinder at the West Somerset Railway last year). Donations can be made at www. erlestokemanorfund.co.uk/twofor-2020-appeal/
9466
Jonathan Jones-Pratt’s ‘94XX’ 0-6-0PT is available for a short hire period during December when it is not required by the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (where it is currently on loan and will remain for the 2021 season). Any railway wishing to hire the Hawksworth engine for Santa trains can contact Mr Jones-Pratt at jon@jjpholdings.co.uk
SR & CONSTITUENTS
928
Stowe’s boiler has been sent to Heritage Boiler Steam Services of Liverpool, who will assemble its repaired inner firebox within the outer wrapper, and rivet a new backplate and throatplate into place, as well as drilling new holes for the firebox stays. The work is expected to take around a year, after which only new stays and tubes will be required to complete the boiler. Based at the Bluebell Railway and owned by the Maunsell Locomotive Society, the ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 last steamed in 1990.
Its three valve rods have been machined at Statfold Engineering, and its exhaust steam injector returned from the Mid-Hants Railway, where it had been temporarily fitted to National Collection classmate No. 30925 Cheltenham while that engine’s own injector was under repair. The MHR replaced the cones in Stowe’s injector before sending it back.
Since the ‘V’s’ frames were fully re-wheeled in December 2018, reassembly of its bottom end has continued with the fitting of its brake gear and steamheating pipework, while the cab roof has been re-skinned and put back into place.
The boiler work is being funded by the Bluebell Railway and Maunsell Locomotive Society, and the latter will welcome assistance to help purchase tubes, superheater flues and stays; donations can be sent to the MLS Treasurer at 312 Riverside Mansions, Milk Yard, London E1W 3TA.
35005
Canadian Pacific’s replacement inner firebox – the first all-new example to be produced for a ‘Merchant Navy’ in preservation – has been fitted
into the outer wrapper at the Mid-Hants Railway. Staff at the Ropley boiler shop are now drilling the holes for the 2,600 stays that join the inner firebox and wrapper. LMS & CONSTITUENTS
46464
All the driving, tender and pony truck wheelsets from the Carmyllie Pilot Company’s Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-0 were delivered to the Strathspey Railway on October 2, having had their worn tyres re-profiled at Tyseley Locomotive Works. The ‘Mogul’s’ boiler is also making steady progress at Northern Steam Engineering, with a new smokebox tubeplate being riveted into place.
47298
Sold to a new private owner at the end of last year (SR500), this ‘3F’ 0-6-0T has arrived at Bury shed on the East Lancashire Railway, following a swift overhaul at the hands of its previous owner, Ian Riley. A source at the ELR said that it is expected to see occasional use while at the line, but it is not known how long it is expected to stay. With the expiry of No. 47406’s boiler certificate this spring, No. 47298 becomes the sole working ‘Jinty’ in preservation.
BR
STANDARD 80105
An unexpected beneficiary of the pandemic has been this ‘4MT’ 2-6-4T, whose ‘ten-yearly’ overhaul has made significant progress at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.
All of the superheater flues and small tubes have been fitted into the boiler, while its bottom end is largely complete, with new pistons and valves installed, although the rods and motion are still to be refitted. The tanks and cab are being painted following repairs.
“It’s done well out of lockdown,” said Scottish Railway Preservation Society director Andrew Fowler, explaining: “We roster people on site each day, and traditionally most have turned out to work on the running locomotives – but because numbers have to be capped, some have gone onto the Standard.”
Owned and restored from
Barry scrapyard condition by Locomotive Owners Group Scotland, the Riddles tank first steamed in preservation on December 11 1999 and reached the end of its ‘ten-year’ boiler certificate in September 2010.
With a hydraulic boiler test planned in early 2021, “the optimistic plan” is that the locomotive could return to steam next year for the society’s 50th anniversary, said SRPS chairman Jim Verth.
MISCELLANEOUS 656
An appeal has been launched for the final £10,000 needed to complete the overhaul of the Danish State Railways (DSB) ‘F’ class 0-6-0T at the Nene Valley Railway next year.
Last steamed in 1982, the locomotive has been restored by NVR volunteers, receiving new bearings throughout and replacement cranks for its rare Allan valve gear, as well as having its tyres re-profiled. The boiler is being overhauled at Locomotive Maintenance Services of Loughborough, but is costing more than expected, hence the appeal at https://nvr. org.uk/product.php/187/
Although built in 1949 by Frichs in Denmark, primarily for shunting vehicles on train ferries, the engine is based on a British design, by Hawthorn in 1873. Withdrawn from DSB service in 1970, it was shipped to the UK in 1975 and entered service on the NVR the following year.