‘E1’ COSMETICALLY COMPLETE… WITH ONE MAJOR EXCEPTION
Anything the ‘P2’ can do… ‘E1’ No. W2 Yarmouth looks almost ‘complete’ at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway - but is missing its boiler.
Rather like new-build Gresley 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales, which was made to appear as a whole locomotive by the fitting of cladding despite not yet having its boiler, the LBSCR 0-6-0T has been cosmetically reassembled for display in ‘Train Story’ at Havenstreet, following the lifting of its boiler on November 8.
IoWSR Locomotive Foreman Andrew Summers says: “The dome cover has been refitted, but the cast safety valve bonnet will be left off because of its weight.”
Working parties have been carrying out preventative maintenance and conservation work on the 1877-built locomotive (originally No. 110 Burgundy) and Mr Summers explains: “Lifting the boiler reduces the weight on its unsprung frames and prevents twisting at the cylinder casting – the locomotive was only loosely reassembled when it moved from the East Somerset Railway.”
The construction of a new Marsh-design boiler is on the cards to replace the Bagnallbuilt item fitted in industrial service. However, work will not commence in earnest until the planned new locomotive works is in operation (SR481).