Hunslet 1589 "Newstead"

Granite-Yorkie · 8 mrt 2011

Does anybody know what became of Newstead? I know she was sold to a guy called Malcolm Saul who lived in Ware, Herts., but nothing has been heard for years. Anyone able to tell me anything?

monarch · 8 mrt 2011

Presumed to be scapped early 90s according to ukloco.com website

Coldgunner · 2 apr 2016

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but this loco has in fact been found by the NVR Small Loco Group and will be moved to the NVR.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1162498127105220&id=1007465209275180

The Small Loco Group would like to release the following statement, in regards to some absolutely amazing news that we would like to share with you. We have been unable to comment until now, and now we would like to share one of the biggest preservation stories of the 21st century so far.

The Rev. W Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, and who named our very own 'Thomas' once wrote a story about a narrow gauge steam railway in Wales. There were three small engines on this line, one of which was called 'Duke'. Now in the story, the line eventually was sold, the track was sold and the two younger locos were sold on. 'Duke' was carefully and lovingly placed in his shed, cleaned, and left to go to sleep.

Many years passed, and people were trying to find 'Duke', the lost engine. People searched high and low, but to no avail. Then, one day, a group of people looking for 'Duke' were following the old track bed, and one climbed on a hill to look round, when suddenly, the ground beneath him gave way, and he fell down, into an engine shed, and there was 'Duke'! They cleared away all the overgrown bushes, and cleared away around the shed doors, where they were able to pull him out for the first time in many years, where they cleaned him down, and successfully took him to the new railway, where he was reunited with his old friends.

Now, you may wonder where on earth I'm going with this, or what on earth I'm going on about, but, and I can't quite believe we are able to announce this, but we have found our very own 'Duke'!

Late last year we were contacted to be made aware of a Hunslet 16 inch saddle tank (the same type as our very own 'Jacks Green' and 'Ring Haw' that spent most of last year with us) called 'Newstead', a loco that had disappeared off the face of the earth in the 1980s, and by the early 1990s was declared as scrapped. Although it hadn't been scrapped, it had been purchased by a gentleman who collected vintage vehicles, and had a passion for steam locomotives. He purchased the loco from the colliery it was based at, and had it fully overhauled at 'Suffolk Steam' which has sinced shut down.

'Newstead' was steamed a couple of times after overhaul at 'Suffolk Steam', and was then removed to a secret location close to where the owner lived. A short stretch of track was placed down, the loco unloaded onto it, and then a custom shed was built around it. She was drained down, cleaned up, and sealed away, not to see sunlight for almost 30 years.

In early 2015, the owner unfortunately passed away, and his widow was left with the unenviable task of finding new homes for his collection. Through a family friend, several railways were contacted with Regards to the loco, and delegations from the North Norfolk Railway and the Mid Suffolk actually went to see the loco.

After we were made aware of the loco, we arranged a visit to check it out, unaware of what we were about to discover, so Myself, Steve and Alex ventured off to 'Newsteads' shed. When we walked through the door, we were stunned with what we saw. Here was this near immaculate steam loco, lovingly cared for, that had vanished without trace. Although it hadn't vanished, as it was stood before our eyes!

We looked it over, took some pictures, and then headed back, amazed by what we found.

We have since made a few more visits, carrying out tests to check the mechanical condition of the loco which came out positive, cleaned and washed the loco, oiled the loco up, and tentatively pinch barred the loco out into the English sunlight for the first time in 30 years!

After a very positive meeting with the NVR board, we are delighted to confirm that we have secured 'Newstead' and the loco will be making its way to its new home at the Nene Valley Railway hopefully in the next couple of months! We have started getting quotes for transport and preparing its current location ready for its big move. The story is being covered in the latest issue of Steam Railway magazine, which have labelled it one of the biggest preservation stories of the 21st century so far!

We are currently setting up a Facebook page for 'Newstead' which will be going live shortly, and a link can be found on the Small Loco Groups Facebook page, and our website which can be found at http://www.small-locogroup.co.uk/

This is an amazing opportunity, and we want you to all feel part of the next chapter of the 'Newstead' story!
Click to expand...

Miff · 2 apr 2016

Amazing story - I'm sure many of us have dreamed of making a discovery like this!

GWR Man. · 3 apr 2016

Interesting this engine was listed in the IRS 14EL which is the most up to date one I have got with an address so wasn't lost at all.

FearOfManchester · 3 apr 2016

So what actually did they 'discover'? As far as I can see it was very well cared for by a loving owner, and the widow reached out to them after all. The greatest lost engine story in preservation would be finding 'Lew' rusting away in some Brazilian rainforest, we can dream

Miff · 4 apr 2016

The loco does seem little known. I can find almost nothing about it on Google, before or after preservation. The only previous references on NP, and not just in this thread, suggested it might have been scrapped. So yes the owner knew where it was all the time, but it sounds like hardly anyone else did - pretty rare for a UK standard gauge steam loco.

Fireline · 4 apr 2016

I have to say, one of the great preservation "missings" was Gervase, which was hidden in plain sight! The owner didn't even know he owned it, and no-one else had the desire to do anything until Mike Hart bought it, and restored it. But for that, our now ex-chairman would still be wandering past the frames, and wondering what they were the tender for....

worldsteam · 20 apr 2016

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-36083074

Sunnieboy · 21 apr 2016

Now on its way to Nene Valley Railway, ready for static display at the Industrials Weekend, starts Saturday I believe.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

Rosedale · 24 apr 2016

ITV News item on 'Newstead', including video: http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2016-04-24/vintage-steam-train-presumed-scrapped-now-back-on-tracks/

Spamcan81 · 25 apr 2016

And here she is basking in the sunshine at Wansford on Sunday.

Reading General · 25 apr 2016

it looks as if it's just ahd a bit of a re-paint. Did the guy ever steam it?

Sunnieboy · 25 apr 2016

Reading General zei: ↑

it looks as if it's just ahd a bit of a re-paint. Did the guy ever steam it?
Click to expand...

Not sure if it was steamed but I understand that the previous owner did a comprehensive overhaul see 'The Small Loco Group' FB page.

Sent from my SM-T700 using Tapatalk

Spamcan81 · 25 apr 2016

Reading General zei: ↑

it looks as if it's just ahd a bit of a re-paint. Did the guy ever steam it?
Click to expand...

Speaking to the SLG guys at Wansford yesterday and they reckon the boiler is fairly sound but they need to do a full check on that as well as the mechanical bits to assess the work needed. As with all things, money will be the major factor.

S.A.C. Martin · 25 apr 2016

Reading General zei: ↑

it looks as if it's just ahd a bit of a re-paint. Did the guy ever steam it?
Click to expand...

Even if it was "just a repaint" with the metal touched up and paint applied, it's still a damn sight more than many of the rusting relics up and down the country. I am sure those in charge of Newstead will be grateful to Mr Saul for everything he did for the locomotive.

His work painting and putting it undercover has probably ensured there's a lot less to do than some other overhauls.

Spamcan81 · 25 apr 2016

S.A.C. Martin zei: ↑

Even if it was "just a repaint" with the metal touched up and paint applied, it's still a damn sight more than many of the rusting relics up and down the country. I am sure those in charge of Newstead will be grateful to Mr Saul for everything he did for the locomotive.

His work painting and putting it undercover has probably ensured there's a lot less to do than some other overhauls.
Click to expand...

Current thinking is six to twelve months work involved but that's before a full survey. Once that's done, estimates may change.

dan.lank · 25 apr 2016

Out of interest, is there anything to stop a loco owner steaming their loco without a ticket in private? Obviously not very sensible, just wondered if there's any legislation apart from insurance?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

marshall5 · 25 apr 2016

AFAIK nothing at all, but being uninsureable one would be liable for any injuries/damage to third parties. Not really recommended but it does take place.
Ray.

Lplus · 25 apr 2016

marshall5 zei: ↑

AFAIK nothing at all, but being uninsureable one would be liable for any injuries/damage to third parties. Not really recommended but it does take place.
Ray.
Click to expand...

Presumably a prior hydraulic test would be a wise precaution...

Aanmelden

Hunslet 1589 "Newstead"

Granite-Yorkie New Member

monarch Well-Known Member

Coldgunner New Member

Miff Part of the furniture Friend

GWR Man. Well-Known Member

FearOfManchester Member

Miff Part of the furniture Friend

Fireline Well-Known Member

worldsteam Member

Sunnieboy New Member

Rosedale Member

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

Reading General Part of the furniture

Sunnieboy New Member

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

dan.lank Member

marshall5 Part of the furniture

Lplus Well-Known Member

Deel Deze Pagina

Aanmelden

Hunslet 1589 "Newstead"

Granite-Yorkie New Member

monarch Well-Known Member

Coldgunner New Member

Miff Part of the furniture Friend

GWR Man. Well-Known Member

FearOfManchester Member

Miff Part of the furniture Friend

Fireline Well-Known Member

worldsteam Member

Sunnieboy New Member

Rosedale Member

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

Reading General Part of the furniture

Sunnieboy New Member

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

S.A.C. Martin Part of the furniture

Spamcan81 Nat Pres stalwart

dan.lank Member

marshall5 Part of the furniture

Lplus Well-Known Member

Deel Deze Pagina

Nuttige Zoekopdrachten