LMS 10000 bogies on the move
After a slow start, things are beginning to happen for the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society as it makes progress with its recreation of LMS 10000 – notably the move of its EM2 bogies from Swanwick to Wirksworth.
Things are happening for the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society as it makes progress with its recreation of LMS 10000.
Something finally happened on February 19 that the Ivatt Diesel Recreation Society (IDRS) had been planning for a long time. The EM2 bogies finally made the move from Swanwick to Wirksworth and are now safely on their temporary bar track outside the workshop. The move had been delayed many times. Initially it was impossible to even get to the bogies because of a Class 40 bogie being in the way. Then there was a wait for a new crossing to be completed before the bogies could be moved to a suitable spot for loading, only for them to find that there probably wouldn’t be space to get the trailer in anyway. After that the Society was preoccupied with setting up its new workshop and moving Class 58 donor loco 58022 to Wirksworth, and then, of course, there was COVID-19. Finally, it was
decided that the bogies couldn’t be moved because of a worry they would derail, so the trustees decided to bite the bullet and lift them straight out with a crane.
Thanks to the assistance of Steve Foster Cranes, and the transport provided by TW Bowler of Stockport, at 0800 on February 19 the cranes were set up at Swanwick and Wirksworth and two years after the bogies had been acquired they were finally on the move. IDRS Lead Engineer, Paul Etherington supervised the lift and took his time making sure everything was right. After the chains were attached the first bogie was lifted about an inch off the rails and another, final, inspection was made along with the now traditional game of ‘what do you think it weighs?’ played between Paul and the crane driver. For the record, Paul was half a tonne out, guessing them to be 24.5 tonnes each. The crane weighed them at almost exactly 25 tonnes. Once everything had been checked the bogie was soon on the lorry and off to Wirksworth.
At Wirksworth a much bigger crane was waiting. It had to be bigger because of the longer reach between the crane and where the bogie was to go. Before it was offloaded the 1947 16SVT engine had to be moved along a few feet and rotated through 90 degrees, which gave exactly enough space to fit both bogies alongside the shed. Paul had already fitted eyebolts to the engine, so this was done quickly. The bar track, kindly loaned to the IDRS by the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust, was then bolted together and the bogie was lifted onto it.
While the lorry went back to Swanwick for the second bogie, use was made of the crane time to build and lift into place an A-Frame lifting beam. This will be used to lift out one of the traction motors so that refurbishment costs can be properly estimated. This is important as the IDRS we will be applying for grant funding towards the refurbishment work required.
The second bogie soon arrived and was lifted into place. This was a big step forward for the Society as all the large parts of the 10000 build are now at Wirksworth. The next steps will be to remove a traction motor and lift the electrical cubicle out of 58022 for a proper assessment. Also due to be moved to Wirksworth is the Society’s ex-Deltic steam heat boiler (from 55019), after which a start can be made on its rebuild.
If you would like to find out more about the project or join as a member have a look at the website, www.lms10000.co.uk, or find the IDRS on Facebook. If you would like to join a working day when it is safe to do so, please get in touch at info@lms10000. co.uk or contact the Society at IDRS, 46
Biddick Village, Washington, Tyne & Wear NE38 7NP. The Society’s refurbished Mk 3 sleeper coach is now ready for use and free to working members.
Chairman Mark Walker said: “We would like to thank the Midland Railway – Butterley, for storing the bogies for us, and to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway for their excellent welcome when we arrived at Wirksworth. Once things get back to normal the workshop will be open at all the EVR events, so please do drop in and say hello.”