Fourth new home sought for Hengist frames

A new home is needed for the frames of ‘Clan’ No. 72010 Hengist when they are assembled this year. Space constraints at the Great Central Railway, the official base of the Clan Project, are expected to tighten with the impending construction of the bridge over the Midland Main Line - which may necessitate the rebuilding or relocation of Loughborough shed. While no firm plans are yet in place for the shed’s future, the two organisations reached a mutual agreement for the ‘Clan’ to seek a new home although it is intended that the ‘Pacific’ will return to the GCR when complete, to use the double-track main line for testing and running-in. Commercial Director Bob Ife said: “We remain on the very best of terms with the GCR, but circumstances have changed with the prospect of having to move the shed to an as yet unknown location, and they do not want an immovable set of frames around the place. “If any organisation wishes to offer a potential home for Hengist in the long term, we would be delighted to speak with them.” The assembly of Hengist’s frames by Riley & Son (E) Ltd will not be delayed as a result, he added: “We have been aware of this difficulty for a while now, and have already looked at potential new homes, though so far without success.” Ideally, a site with a Network Rail connection is required, to avoid moving the engine on a low-loader. It will be the fourth base for the Hengist project, whose first home was the Swanage Railway’s Herston works. Since then, the parts so far made for the Riddles ‘Pacific’ have also been housed at Shillingstone station, and are now mainly gathered at a private site in the Midlands, while the cab and smokebox are on display at the GCR’s Quorn & Woodhouse station. ❚❚Offers of assistance can be directed to President James Baldwin at president@72010-hengist.org