Cosmetic restoration for Barclay Harry

PETER Best, owner of ‘S160’ 2-8-0 No. 2253 Omaha and 2ft gauge ‘NG/G16’ No. 130, has completed a cosmetic restoration of his Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Harry (1823/1924), just four months after the former Crossley’s Scrap Merchants, Shipley, loco arrived at Mr Best’s Gloucestershire home.

Mr Best and his small team of helpers had their final engineering day of the year on the loco on September 6, which brought to an end the first phase of Harry’s long-term restoration. The cosmetic refresh has included a full repaint into the corporate lined ‘Burrell Plum’ livery of Mr Best’s Steam Powered Services Ltd, as also carried by the ‘S160’ and the Welsh Highland Railway based Garratt.

As a finishing touch the name of the Barclay’s original owner – ‘Colzium Quarry Coy Ltd’ – was sign written onto the tank sides by Roger Neale, who sadly passed away shortly after completing the job.

Some work on the mechanical restoration has also been undertaken, with the main manifold, water valves and injectors now complete. However, Mr Best told The RM that the ‘serious’ restoration will only start once the overhaul of his Stanier ‘Black Five’ No. 44806 is complete at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which is not expected until 2023.

PETER BEST With name and works plates fitted for the official photographs, but missing its connecting and coupling rods, Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST Harry looks well following the completion of its cosmetic restoration on September 6.