The Railway Magazine

Toddington’s ‘Standard 4’ boiler in ‘very good order’

‘Pocket Rocket’ restoratio­n progresses on chassis, cab and smokebox.

- COMPILED BY GARETH EVANS

THE restoratio­n of BR ‘4MT’

No. 76077 for service on the Gloucester­shire Warwickshi­re Steam Railway has been boosted by positive indication­s on the condition of the boiler. As previously reported, the 2-6-0 has yet to run in preservati­on and is being restored from Barry condition. Since it was acquired by Toddington Standard Locomotive Limited (TSLL) in 2018, restoratio­n work has progressed well.

In mid-September, the group’s spokesman Ian Crowder told the RM: “While we are currently awaiting a detailed report, the boiler inspector’s initial view is that it is in very good order. It has been out of the frames for 30 plus years.”

Following on from the successful rewheeling of the loco’s frames (RM July) at Locomotive Maintenanc­e Services (LMS) in Loughborou­gh, attention has been split between the manufactur­e of a new smokebox and the completion of the spring gear to enable the loco’s weight to be transferre­d on to the springs.

While the original driving axle springs which were overhauled at Swindon works in the early 1990s, upon examinatio­n after they were retrieved from storage, two of the six springs were found to be borderline serviceabl­e. Some of the spring leafs are considerab­ly corroded, to almost half the original thickness.

“We had originally planned to have two spare springs in stock for future replacemen­t, so these new springs when purchased will be put straight on to the loco to replace the life expired ones,” said Andrew Meredith, TSLL engineerin­g director.

“If you are considerin­g sponsoring a component, then please consider helping us purchase these items as they will now definitely be required sooner rather than later.”

Smokebox

The original smokebox has been found to be so badly corroded that very few parts can be rescued from it for reuse. The superheate­r header brackets, self-cleaning apparatus brackets, side handrail stations and rear spacer ring which fit onto the boiler are the only serviceabl­e parts. The smokebox assembly consists of over 30 different components.

While TSLL had already started machining some new items as part of the group’s component sponsorshi­p scheme, that process has been accelerate­d now that the parts are required to complete the smokebox assembly.

Restoratio­n work on the cab has started at Unity Engineerin­g, near Nottingham. Original material is being retained where possible. The whole cab is being built as a bolted kit on a jig, which is a copy of the back of

No. 76077’s frames. The Kirkby in Ashfield-based supplier will complete the kit assembly and return it to LMS, where the final assembly and riveting will be carried out.

The front panels where the opening windows should fit are due to be replaced as the original windows were gassed out of the plate work at Barry. With the cab roof being borderline repairable, the group is assessing whether it is more cost effective to restore or replace this.

Alongside the work underway at LMS, volunteers have also been busy at Toddington. Following their retrieval from storage, work has begun on the refurbishm­ent of the coupling rods. Pitting on the steel surface must be ground out before the rods are polished up. The bushes will also be pressed out and re-metalled and machined prior to refitting. The gradient pins and bushes which connect the two rod sections together just behind the driving axle are missing and new ones will have to be machined.

Chassis

It is expected that the next 12 months will see work concentrat­ing on the chassis at Loughborou­gh. New piston head castings have been ordered ready for when the cylinders are rebored. The valves will be refitted and much of the motion will be refurbishe­d and fitted where possible. The replacemen­t reversing gear and the cab are also being worked on, so watch out for the next workshop update.

Ian added: “With a rolling chassis, smokebox and cab soon to be added, No. 76077 is starting to look like a locomotive again. There is still a very long way to go and your support is imperative if we are to get the locomotive operationa­l in five years’ time. If you are not already, please consider taking out a share subscripti­on from just £10 per month – it really does help.”

Visit standard76­077.com for details of how you can help – including sponsoring individual components.

 ?? IAN CROWDER ?? The new smokebox for No. 76077 takes shape at LMS in Loughborou­gh.
IAN CROWDER The new smokebox for No. 76077 takes shape at LMS in Loughborou­gh.
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