King Edward I ‘back in spring’

NOW that working conditions have been eased and that the West Somerset Railway's Minehead workshops have been reopened, plans to bring GWR 4-6-0

No. 6024 King Edward I back into main line traffic are again making steady progress.

David Fuszard, spokesman for the 6024 Society, said that most, if not all, of the major work in bringing the Collett 4-6-0 towards its ticket has been completed.

Dave commented that the volunteers providing manpower to bring the engine back into steam are all now 10 years older than when they started.

He said that the internal pipework of the smokebox had been secured by independent boilermakers and engineers Leaky Finders.

Dave said that during his recent visit to Minehead, he enjoyed helping to position a line of springs inside grooved plates supporting the firebox end of the boiler.

He said that the society aims to see No. 6024 back in action early next year. It last steamed at the WSR in April 2012, having hauled its last main line tour the previous month.