North Norfolk Railway to overhaul boiler from historic Swiss locomotive
NORTH Norfolk Railway plc has won the contract to overhaul the boiler of an historic Swiss metre gauge locomotive, which has been out of traffic for eight years.
The boiler of Rhatische Bahn 2-6-0T No.1 Rhätia, built in 1889 by SLM, of Winterthur, in Switzerland, duly arrived from the continent at Weybourne engineering works on December 14.
Work to carefully dismantle and remove the life-expired copper inner firebox, and to conduct a thorough internal inspection to verify the full extent of the work required, was due to begin in the New Year.
NNR chief mechanical engineer Keith Ashford said: “We recognise the enormous significance and affection with which this locomotive is held in Switzerland, and it will be a privilege for our engineering team to be involved in the overhaul of this boiler.
“It also reflects well that Swiss Railway Services, which is acting as the technical advisers to Rhatische Bahn, recognised that the necessary skills required to undertake this type of boiler repair work exists in the UK.”
International links
NNR’s managing director, Hugh Harkett, said: “This demonstrates the continued international focus that has been a mainstay of our business here in Norfolk, with a number of contracts now in house from the continent of Europe.”
Mike Ellis, the owner of Swiss Rail Services, added: “Our role in this project is to match our customer, the RhB, with the best available supplier and track progress and quality, ensuring the project’s success.
“The NNR has demonstrated that our choice is well-founded and that Rhätia is in good hands.
“In Switzerland, there is much emotion connected to this project and that makes it just that little bit special for the team to work on.”
The RhB Steam Friends Association and Club 1889 have been involved in the Rhätia restoration project group since 2018.
They have successfully raised the finances to overhaul and return to service the oldest steam locomotive of the RhB. Club 1889 has already started restoring smaller items and will continue to do so during the course of the project.