Overhauls, restorations and running notes
GWR & CONSTITUENTS
1638 An appeal has been launched to return the ‘16XX’ class 0 ‐ 6‐0PT to the rails by the Kent and East Sussex Railway. No. 1638 arrived on the line in 1992 but hasn’t been in use since 2022. Appropriately, given the engine’s number, the amount being sought is £163,800.00, based on initial work estimates plus a contingency. The initial step will be to complete work on the chassis and motion (begun in 2022) after which the boiler can be checked ahead of a ten-year overhaul. It is hoped that 250 supporters can be attracted, who will be able to pledge £16.38 per month for the next three years.
3802 After two years under overhaul, the Collett ‘2884’ 2 ‐ 8‐0 heavy freight locomotive re-entered service on the Llangollen Railway in mid-April.
6990 ‘Modified Hall’
Witherslack Hall will replace ‘28XX’ No. 2807 in the line-up at the West Somerset Railway’s ‘Spring Steam Spectacular’ gala on May 3 ‐6, as the 1905-built 2 ‐ 8‐0 has been temporarily withdrawn from traffic at its Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway home owing to a leaking foundation ring rivet. No. 2807 is to be sent back to Riley & Son (E) Ltd in Bury for the boiler to be lifted from the frames, so the cause of the leak can be determined and repaired.
9351 The West Somerset Railway-based former ‘5101’ 2 ‐ 6‐2T, which was converted into a ‘Mogul’ 2 ‐ 6‐0 with a tender in 2004, has been added to the roster for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s ‘Cotswold Festival of Steam’. The appropriate theme of the event is ‘Western Workhorses’. With ‘Saint’ No. 2999 Lady of Legend and ‘Grange’ No. 6880 Betton Grange also guesting, this is believed to be the first time that three ‘new-build’ engines have appeared together at a heritage line gala (although No. 9351 did start life in original form in 1934).
SR & CONSTITUENTS
21C127 Although withdrawn for overhaul at the end of 2023, Taw Valley made a surprise – but brief – return to traffic for the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala in mid-April.
323 The Bluebell Railway’s ‘P’ class 0-6-0T has now been substantially dismantled for assessment as progress continues on its overhaul. This has already revealed that the driver’s side tank of the 0 ‐ 6‐0T, named ‘Bluebell’, is in better condition than expected and may be able to be repaired rather than replaced.
W24 With its flagship locomotive, class ‘O2’ No. W24 Calbourne (below), in urgent need of new tyres, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has launched an appeal to raise £36,000 to pay for them. The wheels have already been sent to a specialist engineering firm in Devon for work to commence. Donations can be made via the IWSR’s website at www. iwsteamrailway.co.uk/get-involved/make-a-donation/
34007 The ten
