Freshappealto complete PrairieNo.4561's overhaul
THEWestSomersetRailway Association(WRSAh) aslaunched a freshappealthrough the AvivaCommunityFundto help completethe overhaulof its '45XX'2-6-2TNo.4561atWilliton. The'flat top' SmallPrairielast ran in 1998having notched up 43,000milessincethe completion of its restoration in 1989.
Its overhaulwas subsequently side-lined,but in the pastfew yearsprogresshasbeen made towardscompletion of the overhaul,the WSRAhaving secured£142,000offunding towardsthe estimated£220,000 costof the work.
Thework completedincludes the castingof new cylinder blocksand the manufactureof new extensionframes. However,more is neededif the associationisto completethe project by its 2021target date.
Theoutstandingwork includes:
■ Completionof the frame riveting
■ Manufactureof fitted bolts for cylinder blockjoint
■ Machiningthe new extension framesasrequired
■ White metalling and machiningof the bogie frame boxes
■ Finalreassemblyand painting
TheWSRAis keento seethe loco backin WestSomerset Railwaytraffic asit is ideal for the lighter servicesat either end of the peakseasonwhen the railwayoperatesfive- and sixcoachtrains.
Theavailabilityof a resident loco reducesthe operating costswhen largerlocosarenot required.
Fordetailson how to donate visit: https://tinyurl.com/ y8es5trh
THEGreatCentraRl ailway tookthe restorationof'Castle' No.7027ThornburCy astle a stepfurtheron June16 whenthe 4-6-0'sframeswere lifted from the threecoupled wheelsetsO. therwork has includedthe fabricationof the whistleshieldandmounting bracketw, hile an orderfor springhangerbracketshas beenplacedin conjunction with the ChurchwardCounty Trust.Theboilerwaslifted in late-March.
EastAnglianmuseum 'N7' to steamby
GREAETasternRailwaydesigned'N7'0-6-2T No.69621will bereturned to steamin time for its centenaryT.heEasAt nglian RailwayMuseumlocomotive hasbeengiventhe go-ahead to undergoafull overhaul to workingorder,having lastturneda wheelin 2015. Dismantlingof the locofor assessmenwtill beginsoon, with the aimof havingthe Stratford-builltocobackin trafficin time to celebrateits 100 anniversaryin 2024.
'B1'Mayflowerto
become'Footballer'?
DAVIDBuck'sThompson'B1' No.61306Mayflowecr ouId begettingatemporary identityswapin the mannerof anotherLNER4-6-0class- the 'B1?"FootballersM'. r Buck,a life-longIpswichTownfan, is havinga setof'B1?'-style IpswichTownnameplates madeforthe'Bl' (no'Bl7'ever carriedthe name)w, hichwill be carriedfor a shortwhile on the locomotive.