It has been some time since our young reporter Joe Shaw wrote his previous article and one would think that over the Summer, with no school work, Joe would have plenty of time to put virtual pen to paper. However, it is testimony to the dedication of our younger volunteers that he has been far too busy, working ON the Railway in a number of roles to help the wheels to keep turning during the summer months (and these youngsters do have a life (just) outside the Railway).
So once again we are delighted to publish, belatedly, Joe’s latest report, with a promise of more to follow soon.
The previous edition in this series mainly consisted on news on the diesel fleet, we are now back over to steam, with a rather detailed update on Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Class 25 ‘Ironclad 0-6-0 no. 957 as well as a brief update on WD 2-8-0 no. 90733.
Seen at Haworth on a service to Keighley, over the weekend of the 2nd & 3rd November, DRB no. M79964 operated along the branch for the first time in over 18 months.
WD 2-8-0 NO. 90733
The tubes and flues have been removed from the locomotive’s boiler ready for an inspection to take place inside the boiler.
LANCASHIRE & YORKSHIRE RAILWAY CLASS 25 ‘IRONCLAD’ 0-6-0 NO. 957
Having been sent through an extremely detailed update on 957, reading it gives a very positive outlook and shows that it may not be long until we see 957 powering up the Valley once again, hopefully for the 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2020 of the filming of ‘The Railway Children’ where 957 starred as ‘The Green Dragon’.
The tender requires coupling to the frames so that the pipework can be fitted including the new steam heat connection. The leading sandboxes need lifting out of the tender coal space and inspecting, repairing and finally repainting. The drain taps have been refurbished and are ready for fitting. The brake gear and motion are more or less complete, with just some minor tasks to complete before completion. The ashpan is ready for fitting on the foundation ring as part of the boiler lift. Once the boiler has been washed out, tubing then will be able to commence. Most of the fittings for the boiler have been refurbished. Generally, most of the work from now on is re-assembly and the preparing the paintwork.
This is an extremely promising report presenting the great position the overhaul is in. I have no doubt that it will not be long now until 957 is back in service.
Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit
The KWVR Diesel Railcar Group recently carried out an exam on the class 101 DMU, this included topping up fluid levels, brake adjustment, brake block replacement, wheel tyre/ flange wear checking, drive belt condition and tension checks, fire detection test, general condition inspection and lots of other smaller check to various items. There had been a fault with the horn on the DMU, however this is now repaired and was due to a failed rubber washer, a new one was fabricated to replace the failed one. The diesel railcar group have also removed, repaired and refitted a starter motor on the class 101. And finally, the group have also removed a Smiths diesel heater ready for fault diagnosis. Lots of work has been completed on the DMU recently, as we head now into the winter months when the 101 will be used on a regular basis, particularly over the Santa Steam Special period.
Waggon & Maschinenbau Diesel Railbus No. M79964
Hopefully not long now until the diesel railbus will be back in service after an 18 month absence from service. Recently the locking mechanism has been re-installed on the door as well as re-fitting wood panels. (As this article is posted, the railbus completed a successful weekend of running the diesel service on the 2nd & 3rd November).
My next report will hopefully follow in just a few weeks time, with more to report on 957.
