19th February 2023

Engineering Report

During 2021 the Company contracted Mid Hants Railway Ltd, Ropley Works, to undertake a full mechanical assessment of the loco. The loco was moved into the Yard and strip down included removing cab and boiler fittings, the cladding and some pipe work, whilst the boiler was de-tubed. With Covid, various lock-downs and staff illness it was not until the end of the year that a full report was provided which showed that in general terms the loco was in reasonable condition after 10 years use, well-worn in some areas but with no major surprises. However the middle cylinder was known to be loose, a common problem with Bulleids, and the condition of the steam-pipe flanges on the middle cylinder could only be assessed once the boiler was removed. Based on the report, that a further overhaul was feasible, a decision was made by the Wadebridge Board to appoint a Contractor to undertake the work on behalf of the Company.

During the early part of 2022 a number of possible Contractors were approached. The criteria included experience, timeliness, likely cost and the ability to take on the work during the second half of 2022. The Board decided to split the work between Riley & Son in Heywood, undertaking the heavy engineering of the frames, motion and boiler and Mid Hants Railway Ltd Ropley Works, completing the new build tender, overhauling the boiler and cab fittings and completing the reassembly once the loco returned from Heywood.

The loco arrived in Heywood on the 10th August 2022 and since that time the cab and boiler have been removed. The motion, brake gear and much pipework has been removed, cleaned and put into store. During November the middle cylinder was removed for assessment and at the time of writing, the frames were being prepared for lifting so that the wheels can be re-profiled, tyres are good, and the axle boxes etc. can be removed for repair/refurbishment as required. The boiler has been cleaned and NDT (None Destructive Testing) continues.

The current target date is for the loco heavy repair to be completed during 2024 with return to Ropley at the end of that year. Ropley will undertake reassembly during 2025. Over the next two years Ropley will continue with the new tender and fixtures and fittings to achieve same timeframes. These timeframes are targets and are subject to, and dependent on, the condition of the middle cylinder, and of course the general proviso of ‘that we don’t know what we don’t know’ at this stage of the overhaul.

David Ford

Project Manager