The Polish switcher TKh2944

 

Here passing Cheddleton on the Churnet Valley

Railway we see rebuilt Polish engine TKh2944

Rebuilt at Cheddleton by the Churnet Valley

 Team. Now in excellent order and the Diesel

was to provide braking during these early

proving runs.

 

 

The history of this class of engine here by courtesy of

http://www.locomotives.com.pl/Freight%20Tank%20Locomotives/T3A.htm

 

Motive power shortages after WWII called for rapid production of virtually all kinds of locomotives, from heavy freighters to small switchers. The latter were necessary primarily for major industrial establishments; factories which had their own sidings needed simple and reliable engines designed for hard everyday service rather than for brilliant performance. Demand for heavier switchers was fulfilled by German OS (‘Oberschlesien’), built by Fablok since 1950 as T2D and commonly known as ‘Śląsk’ (Silesia). This 66-tonne locomotive, with the tractive effort of 12.7 tonnes and axle load of 16.5 tonnes, was too heavy and powerful for many operators, so lighter switcher was also needed.

In fact a design for such a machine was at hand. Between 1927 and 1929, Fablok built six light tank locomotives with factory designation T1A. These machines, which showed considerable influence of Austrian designs, were later developed into T2A, known also as ‘Ferrum 29’ – after the name of steelworks that first ordered this type. As technical documentation of the latter type fortunately survived the war, it was quickly decided to build it post war, with certain changes. In particular, new machines ran on saturated steam, were slightly lower, lighter by 1200 kg and their power was lower; diameter of drivers was also slightly reduced. But their tractive effort was enough to haul heavy drafts (even 1500 tonnes and more), they were simple, undemanding and reliable, and axle load was only 14.8 tonnes.

 There are I know many Polish ex pat people who came over to the UK after WW2 and of course many now under EU who would I am sure enjoy the sight and sound. Go and take a look at

                                                 http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/

 

 

 

The Foxfield Railway

A very comprehensive set up. There's always

plenty to see

 

 

The station itself comprises the museum where you

view many engines, carriages and railwayana in

general linked to the North Staffordshire Railway

 

It is a working station with a three mile line down

to the colliery, a reminder of the importance the

North Staffordshire coal field was to the nation

 

Station movement controlled by a nicely

kept signal box

 

Yes there's usually a Hunslet or and Austerity

 

The trains kept running in those bad winter all those

years ago with rail mounted snow ploughs just like

the one above.

 

http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/

USA S160 now under restoration

Again I express my thanks to the Railways I visit

for the help and support they give me in allowing

me to view and photograph their work. I am an

engineer myself and know the care which must

be taken when allowing such visits, I am most

grateful in this case to the Churnet Valley Team

at the works in Cheddleton.

 

 

Here the tender of this USA S160 which was

repatriated from China. Much work was needed

on corroded parts of the tender and the baffles

inside.

 

The bogie sets are now completed and my guide

had that morning been fitting the feed wicks to the

Axle boxes.

 

Those familiar box frames so typical of American

locomotive design.

 

The cylinder casting

 

The boiler now at an advanced stage of reconstruction

 

As can be seen much work was needed.

The Churnet Valley team are hoping

for a completion date some time in

February, so hopefully we might see

it in steam by the beginning of next years

operating season.

 

Visit them at

http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk/

The Foxfield Railway

Here I can show the magnificent work

completed by the carriage team at the

Foxfield Railway and advertise the

event on their behalf. My grateful

thanks to the team I met on Wed

gone and thanks to them for letting

me have access to the Knotty Set

and for their time in explaining the

difficulties they experienced in the

restoration process. It is a great credit

to them and will soon be available for

all to see.

 

 

The Knotty Heritage carriages are a magnificent

example of the superb work done by our preserved

railways. Two four wheel carriages of the North

Staffordshire Railways were rescued by the

 volunteers from their use as a chicken

Hut.

 

Here we see the coaches rebuilt to original standard

 

I think all will agree, a superb standard

has been achieved

 

The North Staffordshire Railways

served the potteries north towards

Manchester covering the counties of

Staffordshire. Derbyshire, Cheshire

and Shropshire. The headquarters

were in Stoke on Trent. The railway

 survived independent until 1923

when it was incorporated into the

LMS.

 

This was what they began with

 

A great deal of work some of which

was quite demanding. The original

carriages were of course unbraked.

So a system of braking had to be

designed and incorporated as well

as the emergency braking from

inside the carriages to make

them acceptable for use now

 

Many railways I know undertake such painstaking

work but they are usually attached to the larger

preserved railways such as our own Vintage

Carriage Trust on the Keighley Worth Valley

at Ingrow Station. The Foxfield is a smaller

railway and so great credit to the chaps who

set about doing this work and completed it

to such a high standard.

 

The standards are plain to see.

 

The original lamps I am told would have

been oil lamps. Normal electric lamps

would have been too bright as 5 or 6

watts. So a whole new lamp was devised

using LED's which gave a cumulative 1.5

to 2 watts, I can assure you the amount of

light is about that which would have been

experienced by travellers in the late 1800's

Very evocative indeed.

 

So go along and see them for yourself at

 

http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/

 

Latest news is they have found a third and it's a brake.

So hopefully funds can be found to purchase it and

refurbish it to the same standard, then there will be

a full set.

 

The Foxfield is a relatively small railway and they

deserve our support in the very excellent work they

are undertaking with such painstaking determination

 

Remember them and pay a visit.

 

http://www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk/

SVR Visitors Centre

No LMS Exhibition would be complete without

a 'Jinty'

 

 

I well remember my first train set included just such,

made by Triang Rovex. My other engine was the

pride of my life 'Princess Elizabeth'. Triang must

have produced thousands of these iconic engines

 

Looking superb we well remember them shunting

around stations and goods yards

 

 

Also resident is Mr Riddles other Austerity the

2-10-0 'Gordon' I believe these engines were the

precursors of the BR 9F so admired by us all and

still working hard in preservation

 

The other well represented class in preservation is

of course the standard class 4 tank. Many of our

preserved railways depend on these locos for

the daily runs in the high summer season

 

80079 is in lovely cosmetic condition

 

http://www.svr.co.uk/

SVR Visitors centre Highley station

Highley station hosts the visitors centre with a very

well appointed and laid out museum

 

 

The Lady Armaghdale

Now known as No. 686 'The Lady Armaghdale' this smart little locomotive was delivered new, by the Hunslet Engine Company Ltd, to the Manchester Ship Canal in 1898. On arrival the locomotive was numbered 14 and given the name 'St John'. It was renamed 'The Lady Armaghdale' in 1963 following purchase by I.C.I Ltd. It was then that it also aquired its very fetching red livery. The locomotive arrived for preservation at Bridgnorth in 1969.

 

 

Known as a ‘Mickey Mouse’, one of 128 locomotives built under the direction of H. G. Ivatt, the last Chief Engineer of the London, Midland & Scottish Railway. No. 46443 was built at Crewe at a cost of £8.734. This engine worked at a variety of locations around the Midlands and was used for railway work of all kinds. No. 46443 was withdrawn in March 1967, purchased for preservation, and arrived at the SVR in April of the same year.

 

 

See lots more at http://www.svr.co.uk/

 

 

Severn Valley Railway Highley station

 

A very well maintained station as are all on the SVR

 

Here the Caprotti class five waits for the road

 

http://www.svr.co.uk/