Lewin to be back in Beamish service in 2023?
MEMBERS of the team at Beamish Museum have started preparing Stephen Lewin 0-4-0ST No. 18 (638/1877) for its 10 year overhaul. The Seaham Harbour veteran last steamed on January 12. In mid-July, the cab and saddle tank were removed. The loco was then relocated from Rowley station to the separate standard gauge line at the Waggonway – taking advantage of Steam Elephant’s absence for major overhaul. During early August, No. 18 was stored inside but viewable by the public – the boiler cladding and lagging having been removed. On August 9, the boiler was lifted and placed on an accommodation trolley to enable cleaning and inspection to be carried out. Work required on the boiler includes retubing, repairs to the regulator and a new arrangement for the steam pipes in the smokebox, to provide a more streamlined steam circuit. It is planned to carry out the boiler work this winter alongside Puffing Billy – which is also to be retubed over the winter. The overhaul of Puffing Billy, a replica constructed by Alan Keef in 2006 of the Wylam Colliery loco originally built in 1814 is the priority as it is required to offer public trips along the Pockerley Waggonway. Set for withdrawal in October, it is hoped to return Puffing Billy to traffic by Easter 2023. While No. 18 does not have urgency as Puffing Billy, it is hoped to have the loco back in service in 2023 – with the mechanical overhaul carried out in a following winter shutdown. It is intended to fit a hydrostatic lubricator to improve cylinder and valve lubrication. It is also planned to fit hatches in the running plates to allow better access to the valve gear when oiling the locomotive for service. Some of the paintwork will be tidied up too.