MORE ‘IMPOSSIBLE’ DREAMS

The ‘Saint’ was the first of a line of two-cylinder 4-6-0s built by the Great Western. In due course the County 1014 Project will complement No. 2999 as Hawksworth’s final double-chimney development of Churchward’s design.

A new saddle for the rebuilt No. 15 boiler has recently been made, together with a new smokebox – we are currently having the door and its furniture fitted – and it will be delivered to Didcot this summer. Work is progressing on fitting the new barrel to the reconfigured firebox and we’ll be looking to build the new tender tank shortly. Most of the work on the tender underframe is now complete, while that on the locomotive’s bottom half is at an advanced stage.

We then come to Churchward’s last great masterpiece, the ‘47XX’ 2-8-0 No. 4709, which is now getting close to being wheeled. Over the winter, following the grinding of the horn guides, work has progressed on refurbishing the axleboxes for the driving wheels and the pony truck. The wheels have been painted and the new crankpin collars will soon be fitted, while we’re also about to fit balance weights to the new trailing driving wheels.

Work is about to start on preparing the pony truck from donor engine No. 4115 for fitting to No. 4709. The new spring hanger brackets have been machined and are being fitted to the frames, a task which had to be undertaken before any wheeling can take place because of their position behind the wheels. We are also looking to fit the brake hanger brackets for a similar reason. Thanks to one of our supporters, we are also now able to order the new springs, which means we will be able to fit them at the same time as we put No. 4709 on its wheels, and that should save considerable time later on.

If you would like to support any of the above projects, either financially or through volunteer work, please contact Richard Croucher, Project Treasurer and Secretary, Great Western Society Limited, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot OX11 7NJ or email info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk