Coal Tank’s return is right on course
VOLUNTEERS from the Bahamas Locomotive Society are progressing the overhaul of LNWR Coal Tank No. 1054 at the group’s Ingrow workshop.
Work is focused on assembling more of the components of the 0-6-2T prior to refitting the side tanks.
Both the injector clack boxes are in place on the boiler doorplate, while the injectors are situated beneath the footplate. The whistle stand (otherwise known as the steam manifold) is in position on top of the firebox wrapper.
Most of the necessary equipment in the smokebox, such as main steam pipe and blastpipe, are in place.
No. 1054 moved a step closer towards returning to steam on December 11 when its boiler was returned to the frames. The task was aided by the society’s Craven 50ton steam breakdown crane No. RS1015/50.
No. 1054 will be the sole LNWR locomotive in steam at the East Lancashire Railway’s June 18/19 gala weekend, which will celebrate the centenary of the merger of the LNWR and the Lancashire & Yorkshire railway companies.
Meanwhile, work continues in conjunction with preparations to finalise the winter maintenance on society’s flagship, LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 Bahamas and the necessary inspections prior to its next round of main line trips this year.
The latter includes double-heading with classmate No. 45690 Leander on ‘The Great Britain XIV’ tour on April 27, covering the leg of the Railway Touring Company itinerary between Grange-over-Sands and Cardiff (as reported in Main Line News, page 56).