RS&H 'Ugly' 0-6-0STs

For memories of these machines at work : a visit to Foxfield in July 2012 :

 

I always remember the trio at work on the KWVR in the 1970s, and into the 1980s 62 & 63. 57 was laid up and stripped down to the frames by this time in Haworth Yard, in front of 80002's bottom half.
I seem to recall 63 had a bit of an on-off time reliability-wise in the '80s.
What's the major problem regarding 57's return to steam? I believe it's still a kit of parts somewhere.

Richard.

 

According to the Spa Valley Website (https://www.spavalleyrailway.co.uk/article.php/109/rs-h-56-class-samson) 57 has got frame issues, and has lost a lot of key parts, which meant when the owner also purchased 62, 62 was identified as the better candidate for a return to steam and, for the foreseeable, 57 is a source of spares. Hopefully one day she will be restored in her own right.

 

They could always be guaranteed for some good thrash. Their small wheels making them sound as if they were travelling faster than they were

 

I seem to remember one at the East Lancs, before the line opened, when it was still just the museum at Castlecroft and Bolton Street Station, would have been about 1983/4 ish

 

I Believe that was 62, which seems to be the best travelled of the 5 still with us. She's also been at the NYMR, Bodmin, and Vale of Glamorgan (and of course initially the Worth Valley) before arriving at the Spa Valley where she is based now.

 

They have always had a throaty exhaust ! My happy days at Corby were spent savouring them at Pen Green depot when I was privileged to sample them down to the quarry network. Many were some distance from the reception sidings at North Bank and a round trip to the quarry could easily take a full working day from leaving the depot to return. Pulling a fully loaded train of nearly 500 tons was no easy task and their exhaust could be heard from miles away. Happy Days - especially when banked by one of the Manning Wardle / Kitson / RSH 16" 0-6-0STs

 

Not sure whether these are the locos being spoken about but these two are still at Ruddington as of yesterday.

 

Ah, my mistake, I thought they'd already gone. Seems like they're still awaiting their transport.

 

By the look of things, transport and a lot of attention....

 

Well yes, that too.

 

Does anyone know what state they are 'beneath the hood'?

 

I think both need new fireboxes (hardly a surprise, they were designed with rather thin fireboxes in the first place) as well as a general boiler overhaul. I think 56 might have a better condition bottom end but I may have made that up.

 

For the modellers among us, Hardys Hobbies do a 3D-printed bodykit of the 56 class to fit the new Hornby Terrier chassis.
https://hardyshobbies.co.uk/shop/locomotive-body-kits/rsh-0-6-0-ugly/

 

My photo from 1982 shows 57 and 80002 frames as above with D2511 and D2519 plus Bellerophon far left

 

Good Grief! Time flies, I hadn't realised Haworth New Shed had been partially completed in '82.
I do remember as a kid in the '70s when Bellerophon was down the siding just behind the boundary wall, in green with full cab, and opposite on the road where Bellerophon's frames are in your photo, were the frames of 80002 and Samson.
I can't remember why Samson was laid up, but it's a real shame to know it's still in bits. I hope one day it will be overhauled.
It's a miracle that the tanks on 80002 survived all those years sheeted over up at the top end of the yard, and its cab too - It used to provide a shelter for my Dad and I on rainy days!
I used to love footplating Bellerophon as a kid too! The regulator could be opened and closed, I was an engine driver long before I was 10!
Sad what became of D2519 though, that was a nice looking restoration.

Nice photo, that. Thank You for sharing it.

Richard.

 

That they did. Will be stored until the overhaul of 4141 is complete, after which I believe the plan is to start on one of the two.