Garratt loco William Francis

Yesterday's new issue of Heritage Railway reports that Bressingham have just been gifted "William Francis," the 0-4-0 + 0-4-0 Garratt, by the son of its recently deceased long-term owner. As a result they are now looking into finding a better way to display it, and will look into restoring it to steam.

Where could it visit, apart from Foxfield and Tanfield? It shouldn't be short on power and could run on most preserved lines I would have thought?

Chris

 

What a joy it will be if the Beast of Baddesley steams again.

 

Not sure of the condition of this engine. But restoration to working order would be worth funding. You would want to get some involvement from the WHR people since they have experience of the Garratt design and from the preservation history of the K1 it appears to be quite awkward to get the best out of them.

 

Go stand in the corner, boy.....

 

Obviously it would not be a bad idea since the WHR have a Garratt fleet to exchange information, but K1 is not typical of a Garratt - it is very much a prototype, and in any case was intended for a railway that had an 8mph speed limit. Most of the challenges with it have been due to the desire to run it at 25mph for relatively long distances. And of course there wasn't a Haynes manual . William Francis is a more evolved design and shouldn't present any particular problems. I'd pay good money to see it vac fitted and hauling a rake of Mk1's!

 

Much as I think it would be fantastic to see, not sure I ever see Bressingham doing it. Whatever happened to Martello?

Chris

 

Failed at the B&W gala in 2011 with leaking tubes apparently. I believe she's been static ever since. Pity she more or less just disappeared with seemingly nothing said about her being withdrawn.

 

Seems a shame- presume it must have had 3-4 years left on its ticket had it not failed? I wonder if there are other bigger issues making it not worth sorting?- This is what makes me slightly doubtful of an operational future for the Garratt.

Chris

 

I just hope that if there is a project to return it to steam, it isn't managed by the same people responsible for 6100....

 

This for me at least is good news,
i do hope they can steam it again one day,
it can go anywhere and do what it was meant to do.
PULL COAL TRAINS.

as for 6100 have they got any of that nice red paint left.

 

Would certainly be a very worthwhile project and would love to see this locomotive steam again.

Whilst talking of other Bressingham Engines... what's happened to King Haakon rarely runs on the standard gauge anymore and isn't normally publicly accessible (well it wasn't last time I visited).

 

It would be very welcome to visit Foxfield when (if) it returns to steam. However I wouldn't be surprised if it is a very long term project as it is rather tired and effectively two engines to overhaul.

 

Coincidentally an ex-NCB mate of mine recently linked me to some photos of WF at work at Baddersley inc one of it crossing the A5 with a flagman holding up the traffic, and another at the top of the bank in the pit yard. Unfortunately the FB page is a closed group for ex-miners so I can't link to it. For interest, some of the track at the exchange sidings by the canal is still in situ at the boat yard that occupies the old wharf.

 

I may be wrong but wasn't she withdrawn a couple of years ago aswell?

Other than I assume a diesel shunter and the odd visit by a Thomas locomotive I don't believe they have an operational standard gauge locomotive at the moment. Would be nice if one day Granville got a look in.... a very small loco that would be ideal for their needs.

 

Search Flickr and ye shall find
Filthy, horrible old steam enginges!! by geoff7918, on Flickr

 

William Francis at Baddesley Colliery by geoff7918, on Flickr

Noise, heat and effort by geoff7918, on Flickr

 

Last time I was there (autumn sometime), the diesel 'shunter' took the form of a tractor! Bucket loader on front was used to nudge the loco parked outside back down the slope in to the main shed.

 

Not bad looking for a Garratt.
wheels about 4Ft dia ? so perhaps not the ideal Jacobite loco