Workto start againon new'Patriot' at Swanwick following lockdown
THEPrincessRoyalClass LocomotiveTrust(PRCLT) wasexpectedto resume work on new-build 'Patriot'4-6-0 No.5551The UnknownWarriorat the WestShed,Swanwick Junctionon July 1 after the lockdownperiod.
The LMS-Patriot Companyhassigned acontractwith PRCLwTith a view to establishing prioritiesthat will enablethe chassisto be completedto main line standard.
Thiswill alsoinclude finishingthe rectification work startedprior to lockdown;the middle coupledwheelset/crank axlehasalreadybeen rectifiedat Riley& Sons workshopsin Heywood.
Fundingfor the work hasbeenagreedfor three months and will continue to be managedcarefully on a rolling basis.
In the interim members of the No.5551team have arrangedfor components suchasthe middle coupledwheelset,bogie wheels,motion, valve castings,and reversert,o be transferredto the West Shedfrom the various contractors,where work had beencompleted.
A similar picture exists at HeritageBoilerSteam Servicesw, here No.5551's boiler had very recently beenpausedfor budget reasonswhile other work was prioritisedon the loco.
However,good progress hasnow been made on the boiler cladding, particularlyaroundthe firebox area.
Workon the tender frameshascontinuedat LeakyFindersin South Devon,although at a much slowerpacethan expected,largelybecause of lockdownrestrictions.
Thetender frameswere expectedto be completed aroundthe end of June.