New 'County' has all its wheels

‘County’ No. 1014 County of Glamorgan with all six driving wheels in place at Didcot on May 21. Credit: Frank Dumbleton

After a brief period as a ‘4-4-0’, the Great Western Society’s new-build Hawksworth ‘County’ No. 1014 County of Glamorgan has attained 4-6-0 status, with the fitting of the final set of 6ft 3in driving wheels.

The centre and trailing driving wheelsets had gone under the frames (originally from ‘Modified Hall’ No. 7927 Willington Hall) at Didcot Railway Centre on April 23 – but the axleboxes on the leading set proved reluctant to enter the horn guides.

They were successfully installed during the next gathering of the ‘County’ project team on May 21, with the next stage being to fit the springs and brake gear, and couple the locomotive to its tender for display at a ‘County Weekend’ at Didcot on August 27-29.

Construction of the boiler continues to make steady progress, with the contract signed for the rolling of the boiler barrel, and the firebox (originally from ex-Barry Stanier ‘8F’ No. 48518) nearing completion of its overhaul at Crewe.

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