Lord Granby cosmetic restoration progresses

COSMETIC restoration of ex-Eastwell Iron Ore Company 3ft gauge Hudswell Clarke 0-4-0ST Lord Granby (633/1902) by Eastwell History Group continues.

Progress in the latter part of 2021 included repairing and rebuilding the sanding gear, including replacing missing parts, to operational condition.

The crossheads and slide bars have also been reassembled, employing new ‘dummy’ piston rods, the original rods being badly damaged by corrosion and the cylinder bores being heavily pitted.

This approach is fully reversible should the decision ever be made to return the loco to steam, does not affect any original components and looks correct.

The valve spindles will be approached in a similar way, without fitting the slide valves. Overall, friction will be minimised enabling the loco to be moved easily when required.