NEW FRAMES NEEDED FOR ‘J21’
Trust decides to completely replace No. 65033’s frames, deemed beyond economic repair.
Severe wastage has prompted the Locomotive Conservation & Learning Trust, owners of unique ‘J21’ No. 65033, to build new frames for the Worsdell 0‑6‑0.
During the strip‑down process on the 1889‑built locomotive at Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough, both the left‑hand and right‑hand frame plates were deemed to be beyond economic repair following the discovery of severe wastage and distortion. The trust considered a number of options: refurbishing both frame plates, replacing the right‑hand side plate and refurbishing the left, or replacing both outright.
The first option “was considered to offer an unacceptable level of risk for no cost benefit and minimal conservation value,” said LCLT chairman Toby Watkins, while the second option was discarded because, even though the right‑ hand plate is considered to be in worse condition, both plates need extensive restoration, leading the trust to decide to replace both plates outright.
Mr Watkins said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly; it is one that we have taken several weeks over, having informed our trustees and supporters first. Having examined all three possible options, we have since discussed the situation with the National
Lottery Heritage Fund, which is supporting the restoration, and they have accepted our reasoning without argument.
“A principle applied throughout this restoration is to strike the correct balance between the conservation and the engineering solutions. In this case, we have pursued the engineering option because not only will it ensure that we have a locomotive that can be operated safely, it is clear that the frames are far from original anyway and thus the conservation imperative is diminished.”
The front section of the right‑ hand plate will be conserved and displayed with interpretation as it bears evidence of the Worsdell/ Von Borries compound valve gear carried by No. 65033 prior to its conversion into a simple expansion engine in 1908, while the left‑hand plate is deemed to not be original. The new frames are expected to add £20,000 to the total project cost, “on account of the money already set aside to make good the substantial wasting on the frames,” said Mr Watkins.
The ‘J21’ will also need new tender frames as “50‑60% wastage has taken place rendering them fragile and unsafe,” said Mr Watkins. He added: “As with the locomotive frames, all the ancillary items can be recovered and refitted to any new frames. As with the loco, the offset of the cost will be that some of the activities required with refurbishing the existing tender frames will not be required. Thus, the extra cost above the original project estimate is expected to be in the region of £10,000.”
In terms of how the new frames for both the locomotive and tender will impact upon No. 65033’s restoration, Mr Watkins said: “From a timetable point of view, this news changes nothing; we are still on track to bring the ‘J21’ back to her home at Kirkby Stephen East station in 2022.”