West Country Wadebridge overhaul starts
UNREBUILT West Country light Pacific No 34007 Wadebridge has entered overhaul – with the aim of achieving a main line certificate after being out of traffic since its boiler ticket expired in 2016.
Currently based at the Mid-Hants Railway, work will be divided between the Watercress Line’s works at Ropley and Riley & Son Locomotive Engineers Ltd in Heywood. Engineers at Ropley have already partially dismantled the locomotive, with the chassis and boiler transported to Heywood on August 9.
The focus for Riley and Son will be repairs to the boiler and overhaul of the frames, motion, brakes, springs and cylinders, with turning of the wheels also undertaken. The most challenging part of the overhaul will be a replacement of the inside cylinder.
Simultaneously, the team at the MHR will work on refurbishing boiler and cab fittings, copper pipework, cladding, and the tender. Once all parts are reunited at Ropley, the team there will reassemble and test the locomotive before painting and return to service.
Wadebridge (34007) Locomotive Ltd group chairman Stephen
Evans thanked generous Swiss benefactor Alex Choremi, who has made a contribution to kick-start this fast-track overhaul.
It is hoped that No. 34007 will return to traffic in four years’ time, 2026, with the overhaul being designed and implemented to keep the option of main line operation open, as well as the continued use of the locomotive on heritage railways.