A theatrical staging (arranged just prior to the garden steam-up at Nev's
on the 30th August) to try to emulate the roundhouse shots of yesteryear.
On the right-hand photograph we have the "Fierce Fronts" of Matt's Class 52, Duncan's Maxitrack, and then
Nev's Class 08, Class 45 "Peak" and Class 20.
New member Matt Roberts proudly shows off the Class 52 "Western" that he
obtained in a nearly-finished state from Ebay. I understand that the price
was so reasonable that the rest of us, if we knew the price, would go green with envy
to such a depth of colour that it would compliment the brightness of that red!
Talyllyn Railway Locomotive No2 DOLGOCH.
This famous was built in 1865 by Fletcher Jennings of Whitehaven. The
second engine delivered to Talyllyn Railway. As an improvement on the
first a short wheel base 0-4-0. Which was returned to the makers for
fitting of trailing wheels. This long wheel base was called Fletchers
Patent. The firebox is in front of the rear axle, the valve gear is
driven from the front axle. She was still in working order was the
Talyllyn Railway was taken on by preservationists in 1951 and she
worked that seasons trains on her own, had this old engine failed then
the whole of railway preservation may be a different scene today. She
worked on until the end of the 1953 season and was withdrawn, returning
to work in 1963.
Most of the loco above the footplate was new. The frames wheels
cylinders and some of the valve gear were used again. The engine is at
present out of service awaiting a new boiler. the present one having only
lasted about half as long as the first. The present boiler has been
dismantled as pattern for a new one. It turns out that when the Hunslet
engine co built the present boiler in 1955 they incorporated parts of
the original 1863 boiler. This was made from lowmoor iron, an early
steel, renowned for its corrosion resistant properties. During the
present work all the paint has been removed from the outside rods for
crack testing. It has been found the the rods were originally intended
for a short wheel base engine. The rods had been made when the order was
changed for a long wheel base engine, fletchers simply cut the rods and
fire welded 2ft. into each one. The rods have since been proved suitable
for further service after 147 years.
David Clarke was at Wharf station recently and had the chance to repeat Henry
Casserley's famous picture of Doloch taken at Wharf station in the
1930's. Both pictures are shown so the that the changes that have taken
place over the years can be seen.
Motor Rail Diesel No 8720.
This motor rail was built to the order of the Ministry of fuel and power
on 3rd feb.1941 for Robert Mc Alpine for their Arnold Sands operation at
Leighton Buzzard for invoiced amount of £291/16.3d. With the running
No. 26 she was the last loco running at Leighton Buzzard when the old
railway finished. Having led an nomadic existence she ended up at the
Glyn Cheriog Quarry Museum in North Wales, where the writer first saw
her in about 1986. This museum eventually closed and she moved on once
again to Alan Keef loco builder and dealer at Ross on Wye from where the
present owner bought the now very sorry looking 8720 in 2003. The work
done includes repairing the frost damaged cylinder head and replacing
all of the sheet metal work. the volunteers at the quarry museum had
painted over the rust and sand! This had caused serious damage to the
frames resulting in the buffer beams having to be replaced. With the
overhaul of the engine complete it was started for the first time in
2005. On the move again, she now has returned home to Leighton Buzzard
where this picture was taken. There is still work to be done on this old
lady. We are going to fit air brakes so passenger trains can be hauled
and fit new drive chains.
Nev's new hot-off-the-press Class 20 received its first public airing at the Gala Day on the 5th June 2010.
This locomotive came into the workshop in very poor condition. She started life as an ordinary Bassett Lowke live steam Enterprise. I think it was built in this form by Bassett Lowke as all the parts fit the their style of construction, Making a representation of the old GWR 4-4-2 (County Tanks) old 2201 class. I think this model would have been made in about 1935. Work done includes, getting a large dent out or the boiler, making a new safety valve, replacing all the steam pipe work, making a new chiminey. And finally a new coat of GWR post 1928 green. I have steamed it once before she goes back to her owner who has had the engine for 50 years.