45163

We have just launched a connecting rod appeal to help raise the money to enable us to place the order for forgings and getting them machined. These will then give us a complete set of motion and be the last major parts to source for the restoration of 45163. Visit www.45163.co.uk for more information.

 

which one of the 5's at Colne valley needed a new outside cylinder?

 

Not sure about a 5, but 35010 needs one at Colne Valley.
If they need one, wouldn't a spare from an 8f in Turkey be worthwhile ?

 

It is the Merchant Navy, Blue Star, 35010 that needs the new outside cylinder, not either of the 5's.

 

I know some people will be horrified but maybe it's time to dismantle one of the derelict MN's to provide a pool of spares for the rest. So far 35010 needs a cylinder and one of the WC/BB's is short of a crank axle isn't it? A spare boiler could significantly reduce the 'down time' for one of the restored MN's. I doubt there is really enough work for all the MN's if they were to be restored as they are too large for many preserved lines and there is not much scope for another one on the main line. Of course, in an ideal world, everything would be restored to working order but sometimes hard decisions have to be made. Just my 2p worth. Ray.

 

I have to say, looking at the website, I am seriously impressed at what you all have accomplished over the last few years. There can't be many ex-Barry locomotives which have been more stripped of smaller parts, and to see how far you've come in replacing them all is incredibly impressive. Best of luck with the appeal!

Noel

 

Once 45163 is restored, is it likely to stay at the CVR? Just thought it might be a bit too big for the current one mile railway

 

Many thanks for the comments Noel. It is because it has been such a long hard slog to establish our workshop and facilities and source the parts we need that, to us at least, it is such a milestone with the connecting rods now being the last significant parts we still need and hence the importance of the appeal as this is also the highest value expenditure on one item to date.

With regard to the future of the loco the CVR will always be its home as we have invested in the workshop and facilities for it here but apart from the first test runs 45163 will have to go out on hire to larger railways to earn some serious hire fees towards the next overhaul. I'm sure the CVR won't want to pay hire fees or the coal bill for an engine of this size very often and we will want to take it somewhere where it will get a decent run. However it may still come back to our base at the CVR for winter maintenance and repairs from time to time.

Jeremy

 

After a long period battling with frame repairs behind the cylinders and rebuilding the smokebox saddle the front end is finally coming together again with the saddle being fitted back in the frames today, photos posted on our website, www.45163.co.uk.

 

This photo from Barry, 1985, (not mine) appeared on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristol-re/13229625893/in/set-72157626530822064/

Anyone know the story about the inscription on the cab? Presumably a deal that fell through?

Tom

 

Thanks for linking my image, Tom . Alas I'm in the dark about the painted inscriptions too...

 

Hope you don't mind! I suspect the answer may be in mid-1970s issues of Bluebell News, but that was before my time as a member.

Tom

 

I don't mind in the least, Tom .

 

A shame in some ways. A Black 5 would have been a great addition to the line and when 45321 visited it looked right at home on the line.

 

Despite my best efforts I have not been able to find out anything about the inscription referring to the Bluebell Railway. I had not seen this image before so found it intriguing. We have a number of images that show it was reserved for the Brechin Railway Preservation Society, (BRPS) and wonder if staff at Barry mistook the BRPS initials for Bluebell Railway Preservation Society?

I also have some good news about our connecting rods, we raised the money for the forgings and these were forged at Somers Forge this week. We just have to find someone to machine them now at a sensible price. If you have a look at our website www.45163.co.uk Latest News and Appeal pages you can see some photos at various stages of the forging process as well as some video. We still need to raise quite a bit of money for the machining so if anyone is feeling generous and wants to purchase some shares or make a donation details of how you can do this are also on our website Appeal page.

Jeremy

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the "graffiti" showing up on photos of Barry hulks, someone with too much time on their hands and a twisted sense of humour inscribed quite a few spurious messages on them.