LNWR ‘LARGE BLOOMER’ 2-2-2 No. 670
Group: 7029 Clun Castle Ltd
Project formed: 1988 Project cost: N/A
Raised to date: N/A Estimated completion date: N/A No. of supporters: N/A Location: Tyseley Locomotive Works
To run: Preserved railways and main line.
Although not necessarily an active newbuild project, Tyseley’s London & North Western Railway ‘Bloomer’ 2-2-2 No. 670 is nonetheless progressing, albeit only as time and funding permit.
The ‘Bloomer’ project is 31 years old this year, having been launched in 1988 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the London & Birmingham Railway – a route that was eventually absorbed into the LNWR and over which the original ‘Bloomers’ ran.
Vintage Trains Community Benefit Society Chairman Michael Whitehouse picks up the story: “The choice of this type for reconstruction was made as it was a major development in the design of express steam locomotives and regularly exceeded speeds of 60mph in the 1850s; faster than mankind had ever gone before.
“The commencement of the project was assisted by the discovery of three original tender frames, two at Northwich and one at Machynlleth, all surviving with oil tanks mounted on them but each only with two sets of wheels rather than the three required. The two frames from Northwich were acquired together with brake gear from the Machynlleth frames, which allowed a complete and original tender frame with wheels to be constructed for the project with a new water tank on top. So far, not really new-build at all!
“The tender is largely finished, painted and lined in LNWR Southern Division green livery, and we have a spare set of tender frames.
“The locomotive had to be fully redesigned by Bob Meanley, who also led the construction itself. In the late 1980s, funds were obtained from the City of Birmingham’s Community Programme to manufacture the frames, cylinders, boiler and wheels (including the single driving wheelset with crank axle), all of which were assembled to create the essence of the locomotive. The brass dome has been manufactured together with most of the motion parts and connecting rods, as have several other components which are currently in store, awaiting fitting, so the locomotive is largely complete.
“It still requires boiler casing, safety valve covers, all pipework and the boiler mountings (although we have sourced an original LNWR pressure gauge of the right period and design).
“During the reconstruction of the tender we discovered remnants of original paint. These samples have been carefully conserved and copied to enable the locomotive to appear in the correct livery. We also have three BR brake van frames and wheels, which are intended to be donors for reproduction carriages to recreate the essence of an LNWR express train.
“Currently, completion is entirely dependent on further funds being donated and available workshop time to continue the assembly.
To date, we have not thought it fair to launch a fund-raising programme to complete the project, at least not until we have the workshop capacity to enable us to honour commitments made by donations.
“Up until now, work has proceeded in conjunction with specific grants originally provided by the City of Birmingham and subsequent individual donations. Anyone who is interested in helping sponsor the project on the above basis is welcome to contact Vintage Trains and we will be pleased to discuss contributions and work done in return.
“We will seek to complete the locomotive and, if possible, the train in time for the opening of the new London & Birmingham HS2 line by the middle of the next decade. Of course, it would be completed quicker than that if it became entirely a Tyseley Locomotive Works contracted project; otherwise progress simply depends on available cash and time!”
So, there you have it! The ‘Bloomer’s’ far from dead and buried, and could well be venturing onto the main line in years to come.
●● A non-operational replica ‘Bloomer’, designated No. 1009 Wolverton in honour of the LBR’s Wolverton Works, was built by the works’ apprentices in 1991. Displayed for many years outside Milton Keynes Central station, it was moved to Milton Keynes Museum in March 2017 (see left).