Hastings project moves to Statfold for completion
MIKE Hart has transferred his former Sproxton ironstone quarry Hunslet 0-6-0ST Hastings (469/1888) from the Elsecar Heritage Railway to Statfold Engineering Ltd in order to get the locomotive's restoration back on track.
The part-restored Hastings first arrived at Elsecar in March 2018 shortly after the loco's acquisition by Mr Hart, and considerable progress has been made on reassembling the bottom end.
The chassis actually moved to Statfold in early-2019 for cylinder, slidebar and motion refurbishment as well as fitting new tyres, from where it was taken to the North Norfolk Railway to have the overhauled boiler fitted.
It returned to Elsecar last September, where work by the volunteer team has concentrated on getting the loco piped up, sandboxes fitted and further progress made towards getting it re-wheeled. However, a bout of flu hitting the Elsecar workshop team, followed by the coronavirus lockdown, meant no work had been carried out for almost three months, and the decision was therefore taken to move the loco to a professional workshop. The transfer took place on
April 23.
"We've had to change our plans a little to get the restoration of Hastings back on track;' said Mr Hart.
"With Elsecar Heritage
Railway unlikely to be able to reopen for a while yet, and us 'oldies' probably not allowed out to play for a little while more, Hastings has returned to Statfold Engineering Ltd so that - with the hoped-for easing of restrictions - they wil I be able to get on with completing the remaining chassis work:'
The work in question includes the refurbishment of the axleboxes, installation of the overhauled wheelsets and completion of the remaining motion repairs.
The loco is currently off its wheels and made the move from Elsecar to Statfold (via low loader) on an accommodation skate.
One outstanding task completed during early April was the manufacture of Hastings' new brass dome cover by Dorset Copper Fish. The original was 'lost' circa 1965.