Help raise £100k to get centenarian Gresley N2 0-6-2T up and running again
THE Gresley Society has launched a £100,000 appeal to complete the overhaul of its N2 0-6-2T No. 1744 (BR No. 69523).
It is the oldest surviving locomotive built to the design of Sir Nigel Gresley having been outshopped by North British for the GNR in February 1921.
Owned by the society since 1963, and a popular performer, it came out of traffic for a heavy overhaul in 2018. The society at first believed that it had sufficient funds to complete the overhaul, and Northern Steam Engineering was contracted to do the job, with work starting at the beginning of 2019.
However, not only has Covid-19 had an impac on the opverhhaul projectt, in terms of both timescale and the cost of materials, but the number of items requiring replacement were found to be far bigger than first thought.
They include pony truck tyres, crankpins, expansion links, safety valves, a front boiler ring, the firebox top, firebox top corners, the superheater header, smokebox tubeplate, and firebox tubeplate.
Since then, to the society's horror, it has been found that a new firebox wrapper is required due to cracking around the crown stay holes, together with associated backhead work.
Society chairman Philip Benham said: “Although we are talking with Northern Steam, which is being as helpful as it can, the stark truth is that the society now faces a huge shortfall. Already an appeal has gone out to our 550 members for help, but £100,000 is a large sum in anyone's money, so we are also appealing to all those who recognise the importance of No. 1744 as the oldest Gresley locomotive and want to see her return to steam.
“It may have missed out on its centenary year, however, with your help it will steam again in its 101st and for many more years to come.”
➜ Donations can be made by cheque payable to the Gresley Society Trust and sent to: Chris Nettleton, Membership Secretary, Gresley Society Trust, 96 Greenfield Drive, Eaglescliffe TS16 0HN. Details of how to donate online by credit or debit card, PayPal or bank transfer can be found online at www.gresley.org