120 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces From Chasewater News December 1989

120 – Chasewater Railway Museum Bits & Pieces

From Chasewater News December 1989

From the Editorial

Looking back, this year has been quite successful for the Railway with relatively few problems to contend with and a number of major advances made.  Train operation, although hectic for the staff involved, ran smoothly and every special event seemed to go well to the extent that our period of ‘survival’ of the last few years has begun to progress into a time of modest expansion.

As 1989 draws to a close and we all wait for Santa’s Special to arrive at Brownhills West, we can begin to plan next year’s work on the line.  It is all very easy to draw up a long list of jobs, but short of ‘asking Anneka’, they wouldn’t get done.

Realistically, in addition to all the regular maintenance work, we could have a platform built at Willowvale Halt ready for Easter, carry on to complete the run round loop at Brownhills West and relay enough track past Willowvale to run a goods train up and down on Gricers Day.  That would be an excellent season’s work, but it is only possible if people put the effort in. Locomotive News

Asbestos – Having worked the majority of this year’s trains, this loco is now due to be taken out of service for its six-yearly major boiler inspection.  The work will involve the removal of the saddle tank and boiler lagging as well as all fittings.  It is likely that a certain amount of repair work will be necessary around the firebox foundation ring and also renewal of a number of boiler tubes.

Sentinel – This engine finally re-entered service on Sunday 6^th August when it took over from Asbestos to work he last two trains of the day.  The recent introduction of two-coach trains meant that this little loco has to work really hard against the gradient on the return run to Brownhills West with the regulator wound wide open for most of the distance.  The result of this is that coal consumption appears to have increased slightly over last year’s running, so that the bunker needs topping up towards the end of the day.  To cure the problem it is planned to fit coal rails to the bunker to increase capacity to around 8cwt.

Lion – The good news is that the Boiler Inspector has done his preliminary examination and has given the go ahead for the loco to be re-tubed and prepared for its hydraulic test.  Painting of both the frames and boiler shell has continued, along with work on new fittings and pipework needed before the engine can be steamed.

S100 – The frames of this loco are currently being jacked up in the back of the loco shed so that the wheels can be removed to allow machining of the horn guides.

DL7 – this remains our only working diesel and has continued to run well, although on the morning of the Bonfire Night steaming its contactors had to be quickly cleaned as the traction motor suddenly refused to ‘switch in’.

Fowler – At last the necessary information for the renewal of the blowing cylinder head gasket has been found and the repair work was carried out on Sunday 12^th November.  With train operations gradually expanding it is becoming more important that at least one of the two diesels be vacuum brake fitted so that it can be used to work passenger trains if required at short notice or on quiet non-steam days.  Hopefully the work will be carried out shortly.

Other Locos – No work has been carried out on any other locos.

 Carriage & Wagon News

The Gloucester & Wickham trailers have remained coupled together since June to form the operational passenger stock.  The bodywork of the Gloucester is now looking positively tatty and will require repairs and a repaint before next season’s running.  Again no work has been carried out on any rolling stock other than the three DMUs. Permanent Way News

A few dedicated men are still pushing on with the trackwork and as a result the old turnout which marked the start of the Norton loop has been completely removed and the line is gradually increasing in length towards the causeway.  Progress on this work quite honestly is very slow, but when only three or four people on average seem to be prepared to help, and even the shorter rails which have to be moved weigh about a third of a ton, this is to be expected.  Just to give the P. Way gang a break from trackwork and to provide variety in their work, the local toe-rags managed to cut every strand of wire between every fence post from the level crossing right down to the bridge.  This had to be patched up again before trains could run on Gricers Day when everyone was already pushed to near the limit. Operating

August bank Holiday Monday marked the end of the two months of weekly running allowing a very welcome break for all the operating staff.  Gricers Day saw both Asbestos and the Sentinel in steam, with the last two trains of the day being double-headed.  Rumours that this was brought about by one case too many of a certain lager in the buffet car causing the gross train weight to exceed the maximum allowable Sentinel loading were untrue, but merely an example of the Midland Railway Company’s small engine policy in action!   The Sentinel will now work the remaining trains of this year to allow Asbestos to be stripped for boiler examination.

New arrival in 1961

Webb Coal Tank 1054 – Latest News

1054 arriving at Hednesford – 14-4-1961

Barry Bull has recently found a leaflet asking for funds towards the cost of preserving this locomotive.  We offered it to the Bahamas Locomotive Society Ltd who are restoring the engine at their Ingrow Loco Museum on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in Yorkshire.  I’m pleased to say that they accepted the offer and sent us their latest press release about 1054, which is reproduced here.

From the Bahamas Locotive Society Ltd.

PRESS RELEASE                    4th November 2010

New Cylinders for LNWR Coal Tank

A new cylinder block has been fitted to the National Trust’s LNWR Coal Tank No.1054 by members of the Bahamas Locomotive Society. The block was lowered into the engine frames on Friday 29^th October, the casting having been delivered to the BLS’s Ingrow Loco workshop on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway the day previous.

The new cylinder block was manufactured based on a Crewe drawing obtained from the Search Engine archive at the National Railway Museum at York.  The drawing, dated 1888 and thus the same age as 1054 itself, was also for used for the LNWR Special Tanks and DX Goods.

To aid the patternmaker in manufacturing the wood patterns and core boxes, a further drawing was prepared by the Society’s Engineering Manager, Steve Allsop, The patterns were produced at Forward Pattern Co of Aston, the casting was undertaken by Boro Foundry at Stourbridge, and the machining carried out at Multi-tech of Featherstone.  Steve Allsop commented, “It’s been an interesting project, and not just having the job done, but also meeting the various people involved to achieve the result.  It is both remarkable and pleasing that such work can still be achieved in the UK.”

 

Following the installation of the cylinder block, the boiler was lowered into place for trial fitting.  This 1921 LNWR boiler has been the subject of extensive repairs at the Ingrow workshop, and has included new half sides, throatplate and doorplate inserts to the steel outer firebox, as well as a new smokebox tubeplate.

Completion of the engine, which has benefited from funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is expected during the late Summer of 2011.

Additional Information

The LNWR Coal Tank was completed at the LNWR’s Crewe Works in 1888.  Withdrawn from service in 1939 the engine was returned to traffic following the outbreak of the Second World War, and was the last example of the 300-strong class, finally withdrawn in 1959.

The engine was saved by a group of enthusiasts headed by J M Dunn, former shedmaster of Bangor MPD, and was the first steam locomotive to be preserved in the UK by public subscription.

The engine was subsequently presented to the National Trust for display at Penrhyn Castle in North Wales.

Since 1973, the engine has been in the care of the Bahamas Locomotive Society, based at their Ingrow Loco Museum on the 5JR Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in Yorkshire.

NEW SOCIETY CHAIRMAN

Simon Bryant, who was elected  Chairman of the Bahamas Locomotive Society in 1974, handed over ‘the regulator’ to Mark Winderbank at the BLS’s AGM at Ingrow in June

Simon’s 36 years as Chairman included a very tumultuous period which involved the Society’s enforced departure from the old MS&L shed at Dinting and the transfer of its main artefacts to Ingrow Loco which became the new workshop and home of the Society from 1990 with strong support from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

The BLS’s ‘Jubilee’ 45596 “BAHAMAS” moved to Dinting Railway Centre after its purchase and repair in 1967/68 and was subsequently joined there by several other engines thanks to the provision of undercover accommodation and DRC’s status as a ‘Return to Steam’ operating base.

 

Following the closure of the DRC, under Dr. Bryant’s leadership the Society established at Ingrow a visitor experience which became recognised nationally having been registered as an Accredited Museum by the Museum, Libraries & Galleries Commission. “BAHAMAS” is currently on view at the southern end of the KWVR inside Oxenhope Shed.

Dr. Bryant continues as a Committee Member & Director of the Bahamas Locomotive Society Ltd.

For further information, please contact John Hillier, the Society’s Press Officer

01572 747706 / 0771 200 3105 –  jrh@johnhillier.co.uk

Web sites: www.bahamas45596.co.uk and www.coaltank.co.uk

Trial fit of boiler

Photographs:  Copyright: Peter Skellon, 22 Windsor Street, Barrow in Furness.

LA14 4JR

Where it all started:

This excerpt was taken from the RPS Newsletter No.3.1 January – April 1961

From a letter to the owners in July 1963 from J.M.Dunn about the transfer to Penrhyn Castle, Bangor, North Wales.

 

Chasewater Railway Museum Mar,Apl 1962 Mercian Bits & Pieces 16

Taken from the Mercian 1.2 March/April 1962

The secretary’s report noted the fact that he had only received two articles for the magazine – sounds familiar!

Progress Report

A new siding has now been completed.  The GE Brake is now stabled on this siding.  This has allowed room for the TPO and the Coal Tank to be moved further under the covered space, giving greater protection from the weather.  The whole scheme of the new siding was planned by the Assistant Depot Master, John Elsley, the installation was very ably carried out by him and his small, but willing band of helpers.  New glass has now been fitted in the windows of the GE Brake, the toilet of the TPO is now in the process of being repainted, whilst the interior of this vehicle has been thoroughly cleaned.1054 under cover – R Duffill

Restoration Plans

We hope that the TPO will be finished this summer (on one side at least), this could easily be achieved if we had a few more willing expert hands.  Our woodwork expert Frank Harvey has had a considerable amount of new panelling to do, ably assisted by Fred Lewis.  A considerable amount of painting has yet to be done on the TPO so any member who is handy with a paint brush will be very welcome indeed.  The Maryport & Carlisle coach still has to be completely reglazed and we earnestly appeal to members for offers of glass.

David A. Ives Hon. Sec.Travelling Post office – R. Duffill

Hon. Treasurer’s Report.

When we in the Midlands area started our own Newsletter the Hon. Sec. asked me to enter a brief financial report in each issue.  I must apologise for not having given one in the first issue, but owing to work, I was unable to produce one in time.  However, from now on you will be getting a report, bad or otherwise, in every issue.

As many of our members will know, December 6^th 1960 was the day we purchased our Royal Mail TPO, for the sum of £200.  The money was raised by means of a Bank Loan and since then, our main aim has been to reduce our overdraft.  At the end of the financial year (September 1961) this stood at

£93-4-10 (£93.24) .  Today it has decreased to £34-2-0 (£34-10), quite satisfactory progress you will agree.  Much of the money has been raised by social events.  At the Whist Drive on 23^rd February for example, we made a profit of over £20.  Much of this was due to the hard work of Mr. Albert Holden, and on behalf of the Society I should like to take this opportunity of thanking him very sincerely, also all members who donated prizes and helped so ably on the occasion.

Membership renewals are still coming in very slowly and I would like all members who have not renewed to think again.  We rely to a great extent on membership subscriptions and donations for our income.  The success of this Society depends on YOU!

Frank J. Harvey  Hon. Treasurer

Chasewater Railway Museum Summer 1961 Bits & Pieces 13

Taken from the RPS Newsletter Vol 3  No.2 – Date – Summer, 1961?

West Midlands District

Our covered space at the Hednesford depot now houses the London North-Western Webb coal tank, together with the London North-Western TPO van, Maryport & Carlisle and Great Eastern coaches, which are in various stages of restoration.. A considerable amount of really hard work has been carried out during the last three weekends.

Photo: Andrew Handley

Collection of small relics continues to grow, thanks in no small measure being due to two of our junior members, Brian Kinder and Maurice Harper, of  Walsall.  Donations to the TPO fund were received from some 18 members.

The West Midlands District also toured the railway system of the Bass, Ratcliff and Gretton Company at Burton-on-Trent.  The trip was organised as a joint effort by Stafford Railway Circle, and the party travelled in a four-wheeled directors’ saloon of 1889 vintage.  Acquired from the Midland Railway, the vehicle was built by the Railway Carriage & Iron Co. Ltd. at Manchester.Bass Locos – Published by Bass Museum

The following piece is taken from an article written by A. A. Chatfield (Vice-Chairman of the West Midlands District).

The Webb Coal Tanks of the LNWR

With the arrival at our Hednesford depot of number 1054, the last of the celebrated Webb coal tank engines, A. A. Chatfield has outlined a brief history of the class.

The first of these locomotives was constructed at Crewe works in 1881, and during the ensuing years no fewer than 300 were built.  Initially they were a tank version of the very successful coal engines with the addition of a pair of trailing wheels running in a radial axle box under the bunker and rear wheel tank.  Designated for working heavy mineral trains in the colliery areas of Lancashire and the South Wales valleys, the design changed very little over the years except that quite a few were fitting with the vacuum brake for working branch line passenger trains.

Main dimensions were: cylinders  17in. x 24in., pressure 150lbs., grate area 17 sq. ft., total heating surface 10,548 sq. ft., weight in working order 43 tons. Water capacity 1,150 gallons, height 13ft. 1in., and tractive effort 16,530lbs.

It is a strong testimony to the workmanship put into these locomotives that many of them survived for so long after the Grouping, as the total was still quite large even after the close of the second world war when some of the survivors were at least 60 years old.  It is strange that so many of Webb’s simple designs should have lingered on for so long, for by the time the railways were nationalised quite a few octogenarians of this design could be found happily and usefully employed in the quiet backwaters of the LMSR.

Naturally the coal tanks were very prominent in the ranks for 30 of them were still at work in these out of the way corners when the 1950s dawned.  By this time numbers were thinning out but still the coal tanks chuffed on until only one, 1054 or 58926 as she had become, remained – latterly employed ignominiously as a stationery boiler at Pontypool Road MPD.

However, the old lady still had her final fling to come, for she was cleaned up and hauled out to pilot an LNWR 0-8-0 on the last special train over the Merthyr – Abergavenny line on which duty she was filmed and recorded for posterity.  After this brief appearance in the limelight she was sumped in a siding at Pontypool Road depot to await the last call to Crewe for breaking up.

Fortunately the story has had a happy ending for through the good offices of Mr. J. M. Dunn and a large group of enthusiasts who were familiar with these engines in their hey-day, number 1054 has been saved for posterity, decked out in her original finery, and has been put into the custody of the West Midland District of the RPS at Hednesford within a stones throw of her old birthplace.

During 1963, Mr Dunn and his supporters arranged for 1054 to be transferred into the ownership of the National Trust for display at Penrhyn Castle in North Wales, not far from where the engine worked in the 1920s.

Although Penrhyn provided public access in safe and secure surroundings, facilities for effectively exhibiting the locomotive were limited. After nine years at Penrhyn, and with the growth of railway preservation groups providing improved facilities, some of the locomotive’s original trustees arranged for the engine to be cared for by the ‘Bahamas’ Locomotive Society at their Dinting Railway Centre near Glossop in Derbyshire.

London and North Western Railway Webb 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ class locomotive number 1054 giving brake van rides on the demonstration line at the Dinting Railway Centre, Higher Dinting. Sunday 3rd October 1982. Photo:  David Ingham

In 1980 the engine was overhauled, put into working order, and restored to the LNWR condition in which it would have appeared just prior to the First World War. In May that year it attended the great exhibition at Rainhill near Liverpool. This was held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the ‘trials’ won by George Stephenson’s famous Rocket, and the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830.

In the years since, 1054 has performed reliably and well.

LNWR Loco 1054 at Hednesford depot.

To the best of my knowledge, 1054 is owned by The National Trust. It is currently undergoing overhaul by volunteer members of the’Bahamas’ Locomotive Society, who have cared for the engine since 1973.

The work is being undertaken at the Society’s Museum & Workshop –
Ingrow Loco – on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway in Yorkshire, and is supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.Pictured at Oxenhope on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway by John Winters.

For video footage go to:

www.geoffspages.co.uk/grp/Movies01/index.html