Trials Update 23rd January 2019

Wednesday, 23rd January, 2019

BR Standard Class 4 mt  2-6-4T  loco   No 80097

During the weekend of 5th / 6th January, more work continued on the loco, adjusting the springs, resealing the chimney, fitting felt dust pads and rewelding on the rear step brackets which had been removed to enable the loco to be lifted.  

A load test was planned for Friday 11th January but during warm up runs the loco was found to have a hot crosshead slider. This was corrected on Saturday 12th  January and on the Sunday she was running light engine up to Ramsbottom again.

On Friday 18th January, 80097 undertook a load test where she successfully pulled a ‘Peak’ diesel loco. This gave her the go ahead for trials in traffic and on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th she was hooked up as tail to an ELR service train with GWR tank 4270, running the full line several times over the two days.  A very satisfying outcome.

80097 will now go back into the Bury Standard 4 Group’s workshop to be fully painted, ready for the official launch at the East Lancashire Railway’s Spring Steam Gala on the 8th – 10th March.

Whilst 80097 has been out running trials, the Standard 4 team have been assisting the East Lancashire Railway by carrying out upgrades to the suspension on their Class 14 diesel, ‘Ernest’. This involved turning and fitting new suspension hangar pins.

Ivatt ‘Mogul’ Class 2 MT 2-6-0  No 46428

No current activity.

Pictures are:

            Awaiting trials on the 11th January                                       (photo by Peter Watson)

            Setting off from Bury on the 19th January          

            Pulling away from Summerseat on the 20th January            (photo by Eric Harrison)