■ Bogie overhaul next step in returning Western Ranger to traffic

THE Western Locomotive Association has launched an appeal to overhaul the bogies of Class 52 D1013 Western Ranger, with the aim of having it back in Severn Valley Railway traffic to mark the 60th anniversary of its entry into service in December 1962.

Over the last few years, D1013 has benefitted from thousands of hours of volunteer help, including a full electrical rewire, component overhauls of such items as pre-heaters, fuel pumps, cooler groups, cooling fans, cardan shafts, exhausters, air receivers, cab desk rebuilds and internal paintwork, along with current work to overhaul its two 65 litre V12 engines, to at least the standard or better than BR would have achieved.

Focus

Attention is now being turned to the bogies, which will include D1013 being lifted for the first time in 45 years, for an initial assessment prior to a complete stripdown, clean, overhaul, repair and assembly.

A major part of this work will require the wheelsets to be retyred as currently they are virtually life expired on minimum thickness safety levels.

It is conjected that the bogie overhaul will cost around £200,000; the retyre alone will cost about £20,000 per bogie.

Anyone who would like to help out with this project in any way, whether it be handson help, engineering advice, sponsorship, or donations, is invited to email info@ westernlocomotives.co.uk

To donate, visit www. westernlocomotives.co.uk/ d1013-bogie-appeal, or post cheques made payable to Western Locomotive Association Limited to: D1013 Bogie Appeal, 25 Foxhills Close, Appleton, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 5DH. UK taxpayers may make Gift Aid donations at www. westernlocomotives.co.uk/giftaid-declaration

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