All set for 2024 duties
Middleton Railway prepares for the forthcoming operating season.
THE Middleton Railway is preparing for 2024 by overhauling locomotives, and training crews over the winter period.
Hunslet 0-6-0ST Brookes No 1, works number 2387, built in 1942, has been the main locomotive used for several crew training days involving new recruit guards and footplate volunteers.
In the workshops, Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST Swanscombe No. 6 (3860/1935) was prepared for Santa duties alongside Brookes No 1.
The main overhaul project is currently Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Slough Estates No 3 (1544/1924). Much work has been completed on the chassis and motion, with it due to be lowered back on its wheels shortly. One frame stretcher still requires replacement, with design work currently taking place. Work on the boiler will commence shortly and it is hoped the engine might steam for its centenary in 2024. The Middleton Railway said it is very grateful to the owners, the Slough and Windsor Railway Society, for their continued support of the line with the loan of this locomotive.
Meanwhile, Vintage Carriages Trust-owned Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST Sir Berkeley (1210/1891) has had modifications made to the saddle tank in order to make access to the tank filler much easier than present.
New footsteps have been bolted to the tank to allow footplate crews to access the tank filler rather than having to physically climb on top of the tank itself. The steps are bolted to allow for removal if required, in accordance with museum practice, and are similar in design to those used on the MRT’s Hunslet 0-6-0ST Brookes No 1, and close to what would have been fitted back in 1891.
The locomotive was due to be used on New Year’s Day trains.