NEW-BUILD NEWS
Construction of boiler for No. 82045 expected to start in 2019 after ‘3MT’ is wheeled at ‘Valley’.
82045 is wheeled at Bridgnorth
BR ‘3MT’ 2‑6‑2T No. 82045 reached a milestone on April 17 with the wheeling of its frames. The Riddles tank became mobile for the first time as it was lowered onto its three 5ft 3in driving wheels at the Severn Valley Railway; its pony trucks remain to be assembled but most components have been gathered for these, except for some springs. Although the locomotive remains on its isolated section of track at Bridgnorth, the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust says that it has reached agreement with the SVR for the locomotive to go into Bridgnorth works later this year, depending on progress with Duke of Sutherland 0‑4‑4T Dunrobin and Manning Wardle 0‑6‑0ST ‘Warwickshire’. The trust has also obtained a quote from the SVR to construct No. 82045’s boiler, and this is expected to commence once the overhaul of the boiler from Stanier ‘Mogul’ No. 13268 is complete, which is anticipated in the first quarter of 2019. A timescale of 18 months is then estimated for the ‘3MT’s’ boiler. A quote is also being sought for the forging of the firebox foundation ring, which is the only large component outstanding for the boiler. Tony Massau, No. 82045’s engineer, estimates that around three‑quarters of the funds are already in place for the boiler, but further donations will be welcomed at Highlea, 4 Southfield, Willowmead Park, Prestbury, Cheshire SK10 4XF or via www.82045.org.uk At Dinas, on the Welsh Highland Railway, No. 82045’s tanks are complete and have been filled with water – one was watertight while the other had “only slight weeps”. Stephenson Engineering of Manchester has produced the slidebars and forgings for the piston rods, while the reverser is being assembled and vacuum pipework has been fitted to the driver’s brake pedestal in the cab.