‘LEAKY FINDERS’: NEW BOILER REPAIR FIRMS EMERGE

Two new independent boiler repair firms have set out to tackle the shortage of engineering skills and capacity available to the railway preservation movement. Dartmouth Steam Railway boilersmith Rory Edwards, who trained as an apprentice at the East Somerset Railway, has joined George Balsdon to set up Leaky Finders Ltd. They can be contacted on 07854 070238, 07811 035525 or at Rooster_rory@sky.com The pair have already undertaken repairs on ‘Modified Hall’ No. 6960 Raveningham Hall and SDJR ‘7F’ 2-8-0 No. 53808 for the West Somerset Railway, and are able to carry out work such as tube and stay replacement on-site. The firm also has the use of a crane and trailer to lift and transport boilers. Meanwhile, Keith Bottomley – owner of ‘9F’ 2-10-0 No. 92207 – is heading up Railway Boiler Services Ltd, which will be based in the north and south of the country, and can also carry out work at customers’ premises. In charge of boiler shop operations is Allan Schofield, while Peter Winstanley manages mechanical and design work. Mr Bottomley also owns sister company Railway Forgings and Castings, which can supply locomotive fittings. As well as platework, boiler barrels and firebox repairs, the firm can undertake fabrications (such as new cabs or tenders) and all forms of mechanical and machining work. Railway Boiler Services can be contacted at Unit 51, Woodcock Industrial Estate, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9DX, or at sales@ railwayforgingsandcastingsltd. com or boilersmith26a@aol. com – Mr Bottomley can be contacted on 01985 846000 or 07899 987465.