Legacy boost for new-build F5 and Barry ‘Black Five’

A NEW-BUILD locomotive and a Barry restoration project have seen progress boosted thanks to a legacy.

Ron Mills, who died in November 2018, left significant sums to the Holden F5 Locomotive Trust, which is building new GER 2-4-2T No. 789, and the British Enginemen Steam Preservation Society, which is restoring LMS ‘Black Five' No. 45293 at the Colne Valley Railway and where Ron was a volunteer.

As a result, both locomotives are now progressing towards the rolling chassis stage; the F5's frames have been riveted together, its cylinders fitted, and the smokebox, chimney, running plates and buffers are all in place. Design work on the radial trucks and axlebox horn guides has been completed, but the group is waiting to place an order in the hope that the price of steel will drop.

Meanwhile, the BESPS has sent the components for No. 45293's front bogie away for assembly by Manchester-based contractor Allan Schofield, who is also machining and reboring the locomotive's cylinders. The ‘Black Five's' springs have been sent to Owen Springs of Rotherham for overhaul.

Further details of the Holden F5 Trust can be found at www.holdenf5. co.uk, and the BESPS website is at www.besps.org

ELLIOT POWICK The frames of new-build GER F5 2-4-2T No. 789 at Tyseley on September 18, complete with smokebox and chimney. The front end is fully riveted and is now awaiting final polishing and painting.