Joy of Joys: ‘F5’s’ chassis is on the way

New-build Great Eastern Railway 2-4-2T No. 789 is to become one of the relatively few steam locomotives in preservation with Joy valve gear, as the Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust makes preparations to erect its frames and create the rolling chassis. The original ‘F5’ design by Thomas William Worsdell (GER Class ‘M15’) had Joy valve gear, but their high coal consumption - which earned them the nickname ‘Gobblers’ - led James Holden to rebuild them with Stephenson gear. However, the drawings for the latter have not survived - so the trust has opted for the Joy gear, which is simpler and will be cheaper to manufacture. Project Manager Elliot Powick of Stafford Road Design will work closely with Tyseley Locomotive Works - where the engine is to be built - to improve its performance where possible. With the cylinders delivered to Tyseley, design work on the rest of the ‘bottom end’ is well in hand. The CAD (Computer Aided Design) patterns for the driving wheels have been sent out for quotations, along with those for the axles and axleboxes. The axlebox horn guides have also been designed, leaving the motion bracket - which is also awaiting quotes - as the last remaining large part to be produced for the frames. The frame plates were cut in 2012 and the cylinders cast in 2014, while the trust has also produced the ‘star stay’ (a star-shaped frame stretcher beneath the cab), the smokebox and door, chimney, bunker and bufferbeams. For more details, or to make a donation (payable to Holden F5 Steam Locomotive Trust), write to 49 Beech Avenue, Halstead, Essex CO9 2TT or visit