No. 10000 project reaches new heights
THE Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society has hit new heights in its bid to build a new example of Britain’s first main line passenger diesel locomotive LMS No. 10000.
On August 22, after weeks of preparation the group successfully completed the ‘Big Lift,’ using two large cranes to raise the chassis of donor Class 58 No. 58022 off its bogies at Centenary Works, Wirksworth, on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. The chassis was then inverted and placed on the society’s Sturgeon wagon. The move will enable preparatory work for the chassis to fit the former class EM2 bogies and create the rolling chassis for the new locomotive.
Society secretary Andrew Hoseason said: “This unusual operation took place in complete safety and exactly to plan. We have a talented group of engineers working behind the scenes. They spent many hours stripping the chassis and preparing the safety plan. We are inspired to see such a big step forward go so smoothly.”
The next steps include the manufacture of parts to match the chassis and bogies together, along with new, stronger springs as those on the electric EM2 were lighter than the diesel D16/1 design.
The society welcomes donations and sponsorship of individual aspects of the project. Cheques should be made out to ‘Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society’ and sent to: IDRS, 46 Biddick Village Centre, Washington NE38 7NP. Donations can also be made directly to the society’s bank account (sort code 30-94-77 and account number 50405860) or online via the website www.LMS10000.co.uk
LMS No. 10000/1 were the first main line diesels built in the UK. They were built in association with English Electric by the LMS at Derby Works and under BR became Class D16/2.
Both were withdrawn and scrapped in the 1960s.