Bury ‘4MT’ boiler tubes failure

EAST Lancashire Railwaybased BR ‘4MT’ No. 80097 has been taken out of service after failing with a split steam tube.

The 2-6-4T’s owning group, the Bury Standard 4 Group said it is the second tube to fail within three years following the full boiler rebuild which was carried out by a specialist contractor in 2018.

The boiler inspector has specified that all the small tubes must now be removed and replaced. The tubes have been removed ready for a fuller inspection of the inside of the boiler to be carried out and a ruling made on the large tubes.

This has meant that work involving removing the running board, steam pipe cladding, main smokebox steam pipes and demolishing the brick arch in the firebox has had to be carried out to be able to access the small tubes.

The small tubes will cost around £6500 plus labour for removing and replacement. On top of this No. 80097 will not be earning any steaming fees from the ELR – a double whammy.

Visit www. burystandard4group.org. uk for details of how you can help.