Unique Metro-Vick Co-Bo making steady progress at East Lanes

RESTORATION ofthe sole-surviving Metro-Vick

Type 2 Class 28 No. D5705 has been progressing at East Lancashire Railway since it was reunited with its bogies in May 2016.

External bodywork has been repaired and all useable parts stripped from a spare power unit. Since then attention has been concentrated on the inside of the loco.

The brake frame has been rebuilt and all pipework and valves overhauled. Wiring is now being fed in and terminated at the relevant items.

The large components in the electrical cubicle have been overhauled, with motor contact boards Nos. 1 and 2 wired in and refitted to the wall. The end-toend cables from No. 1 end have been pulled through into the cubicle, having previously been looped up in the trunking.

Wiring in No. 2 cab is on-going, where the air pipes located under the floor have had to be replaced.

Inside the engine room/cooler group area the No. 1 end traction motor blower has been refitted. The V8 Mk3 power unit has had its heads, pistons and liners removed. These will be replaced by those recovered from a spare CrossleyV12 power unit, which had lower engine hours.

The Metro-Vick is being worked on, along with Class 15 No. D8233 (RM May, p75) at Bury, but this is now on hold because of the lockdown.

Volunteers are keen to get back to completing these two mammoth restorations.

The Class 15 bogie appeal (detailed in RM May, p75) is still open as funds are needed so work can resume on this loco, when the opportunity arises.

PICTURE: RORY LUSHMAN Right: Class 28 No. D5705, the only survivor of the 20 Class 28 Metro-Vick Co-BoDEs, made a rare public appearance at Bury Bolton Street station during the East Lancashire Railway's July 2016 diesel gala. This followed the loco being reunited with its bogies on May 14. Since then the complex restoration of this unique loco was going on steadily until stopped by the lockdown.

ROB MASON The Class 28's completed brake frame, with new wiring being pulled through.