Imported Hungarian USATC trio on offer at Ruddington

THREE unrestored USATC S160 2-8-0s that were imported from Hungary in varying states of repair and are currently sited at the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, Ruddington, are being offered for sale by owner Mike Fairburn.

No. 1631 is the most compete of the trio, with the cylinder block attached to the frame, and carries an ex-Hungarian boiler that is fully tubed and believed to be in an essentially sound condition. The boiler will require replacement of small tubes, flues, and superheater elements as part of a full overhaul.

The locomotive is mechanically complete other than one return crank, two eccentric rods, and two union links. Components that would be replaced in an overhaul, such as pistons, valve pistons, and valve sleeves are required, but all retained components such as cylinder and valve covers are present. Principle boiler fittings are present, including manifold with integral shut off valve, whistle, injector steam valves and some other valves, quick start valves, injectors, and clack valves. It has a pair of Nathan mechanical lubricators.

There are a pair of cab sides and a tender chassis with bogies and a tank that may be repairable.

The principal components of No. 2138 are present, including frame, cylinders, wheels pony truck, tender frame, and bogies. The cylinder block is not mounted on the frame, having come from another locomotive, while the boiler had latterly served as a stationary steam plant, having been converted to saturated configuration and the regulator removed.

The boiler is still fitted with tubes. There is a manifold with integral stop valve, injector steam valves and some other valves including injector bodies, and a superheater header.

The intermediate and leading coupling rods are present, along with some valve gear components, some brake rigging, wheelsets, spring gear, and axleboxes, and a pair of mechanical lubricators, possibly of Hungarian origin.

The third locomotive comprises a collection of principle components that could form the basis of a reconstruction. It is believed to be No. 2364; this identification is cast into doubt by authoritative sources believed to have been involved in import of the locomotive to the UK.

Present are the frame, cylinders (not mounted), wheels and pony truck wheelset, boiler, the tender frame, and some spring gear.

Anyone who is interested in any or all three locomotives is invited email mikefairburn57@live.co.uk for more information.