Wheel failure on Yeo sparks urgent appeal by Fairbourne
The Fairbourne Railway has been forced into an urgent appeal to replace the driving wheel sets of one of its locomotives.
Lynton & Barnstaple-style 2-6-2T ‘Yeo’, built by David Curwen in 1978, suffered a crankpin failure early in May, fortunately in the rear axle while the locomotive was travelling smokebox-first – as a result it remained on the track.
A close inspection of the engine once it had been recovered to the Fairbourne’s workshop revealed a series of radial cracks in the wheel boss. As a result Yeo will need all three of its driving wheel sets replaced, including axles, cranks and crank pins, at a cost initially estimated to be between £10,000 and £15,000.
This incident has occurred as the railway seeks to recover from the major loss of revenue caused by many months of closure due to the Covid pandemic, and just before the peak season.
With Darjeeling 0-4-0ST ‘Sherpa’ having just returned to traffic following a 10-year overhaul, running alongside Welsh Highland Railway-style 2-6-4T ‘Russell’, the line is without a spare engine for its high-season timetable which involves the running of two trains.
“As Yeo will be needed daily to fulfil its place in this year’s peak timetable, it is important we get this repair completed without delay,” FR general manager Murray Dodds said.
Readers wishing to donate to the appeal can do so through the line’s website at www.fairbournerailway.com