Late February Update 2025

Monday, 24th February, 2025

Yesterday showed further progress on our preparation for our loco 80097 hydraulic test. We’ve been asked why we’re having another

hydraulic? Well any boiler ticket to operate will be dated from the hydraulic test, not the steam test. Due to delay on provision of

satisfactory regulator and safety valves we may have, potentially, lost up to nine months of our ticket. So the plan is to do the

hydraulic when we are assured the steam test can be done as quickly as possible after that. We have our regulator valve being

prepared for service and we have a resolution to our safety valve issue. The way forward is clear. See photos of some of our

team, Nigel and Mackenzie in the smokebox fitting superheater elements, three either side in place which will now allow

the main steam outlet pipes from the superheater outlet header to be fitted, all time saving. Our thanks to the rest of the team,

David, Ian, Dave, Jeden and his friend, whose name escapes me, sorry! Great team effort guys.

 Aside from our two locomotives our group have been involved in freight vehicles and other infrastructure. Just lately one of

our group David Browning, has single handedly brought another item of railway history back to life. You may have noticed at

our stations that there are pieces of equipment stood around to give the appearance of a typical 1950's railway scene.

Luggage etc would be typically laid around waiting for trains to arrive. Parcels were a feature of railway stations in the

1950's and early 60's. Manual handling was pretty primitive. One such item of equipment was a sack truck. David does

work at Heywood station. He looks after and creates the planting and maintenance of the gardens. He noticed an old

sack truck looking very sorry for itself and took it upon himself to bring it back to life and make it look like somebody loves it.

Well now it does. Have a look at the photos and see a before and after contrast. Note the rotted shafts.

David has replaced them like for like. It has been repainted and now sits there in its splendour. Well done and thank you David.