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Furness locos

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by 22A, Jun 21, 2025.

  1. 22A

    22A Well-Known Member

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    I've seen on FB etc film of Furness Railway nr 20.
    In a book I read that Furness Railway nr 25 can be seen at Carnforth.
    Was that a typo, or are there two of these locos preserved please?

    Also,is nr 18 Chloe still at Bury?
     
  2. marshall5

    marshall5 Part of the furniture

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    F.R 25 was at Carnforth in a partially dismantled state but was moved to the F.R. Trust at Ribble Steam Railway some time ago. IIRC the plan is to restore the loco to its later saddle tank form as it was in industrial service.
    Ray.
     
  3. 22A

    22A Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for this Ray, I just wanted to confirm 20 & 25 are different locos.
     
  4. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Part of the furniture

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    I'm confused by the above reference to No.18.
    According to most sources, including the FR Trust website, the 0-4-0ST ex-Carnforth is FR No.25 (BHSC No.17) - info here: Sharp, Stewart & Co Works No 1585 Furness Railway No 25 BHSC No. 17 0-4-0ST – Preserved British Steam Locomotives
    The restored FR loco is No.20 (BHSC No.7), and (for completeness) Coppernob is No.3, and the one down a mine is No.115.
    But, the National Lottery made a grant for No.18: Railway Locomotive No 18 Restoration, Lancs | The National Lottery Heritage Fund
    So, what is No.18?
     
  5. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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    I think 18 was what 20 was assumed to be before restoration started.
     
  6. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Part of the furniture

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    OK, that rings a very rusty bell somewhere, thanks. It's a pity none of the various online histories of No.20 that I could find actually mentioned this!
     
  7. Paul Grant

    Paul Grant Well-Known Member

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  8. fergusmacg

    fergusmacg Resident of Nat Pres

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    It was only discovered that it was FR No 20 and not FR No 18 when the frames where sand blasted during its restoration and the Sharp Stewart works no became visible. I then took a little trip to Carnforth and crawled underneath FR No 25 and looking at the same place confirmed the works number showed that one was indeed FR No 25.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2025

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