Arthur progresses at Quainton

Overhaul uncovers evidence questioning the ‘true’ identity of Hunslet loco.

A LOCOMOTIVE which has been out of the limelight for some years is undergoing a major rebuild at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road. Hunslet 0-6-0ST Arthur (3782/1953) has had major boiler work undertaken with the lower firebox sides being replaced and a new front tubeplate rivetted into place. The six longitudinal stays have also been repaired and refitted and new washout plugs installed. The next stage will be retubing. Members of the restoration team have also refurbished the locomotive’s slide bars, which were reground by a sub-contractor. The slide bars have been refitted and correctly aligned to the cylinder centre line. The next step is preparation of the slide bars to receive the crosshead and slippers for each cylinder, which need to be white metalled and then fitted.

Curiosity

It is hoped to have the locomotive back on its wheels by the end of November and the boiler in the frames by January. An interesting curiosity has turned up during the overhaul in that the cylinder block, which has not been out of the frames so far as is known, is actually stamped with the number 2688, which is an identical member of the same class built 10 years earlier, in 1943. It is known that in 1972 Arthur was overhauled by the NCB and that Hunslet No. 2688 was a parts donor. It is now believed that in fact No. 2688 may have donated its entire frames, thus Arthur may be an amalgamation of both engines and under the usual convention for locomotives, it should take the identity of its frames, hence it is in reality No. 2688. Arthur is a member of the successful 16ins class of 0-6-0ST. The National Coal Board sent the loco to Markham Main Colliery, near Doncaster. When withdrawn from service in 1972, it was the last steam locomotive working for the NCB in the Doncaster area.

Acquisition

The loco was sold in 1978 and arrived at Quainton Road on December 1, 1979, having been purchased by a Quainton Railway Society member. Arthur became the property of the Society after several members funded the purchase.