Bo'ness Locomotive Fleet

As the railway's 2014 season starts next weekend, a little update on how things look.

Operational Locomotives:
- Gresley D49 Morayshire, recently repainted into lined early crest British Railways black as number 62712. Will debut on Timeline Event's week of photo charters in early May.
- Austerity No. 75254, in WD green. Expected to open the season next weekend (5th April).

Under Overhaul:
- Austerity No. 19, in final stages of overhaul. Boiler has been steam tested and is now in frames while final works take place. Expected to enter service during the mixed traffic gala on the 31st May/1st June.
- NCB No.1, under fast track overhaul. Locomotive withdrawn November 2013, boiler and wheels at contractors while work on frames and motion continues apace at Bo'ness. Hoped to enter service in time for the first Thomas weekend of 2015.
- Caledonian 419, work continues on the boiler at the contractors with a view to a hydraulic test in the next month or two. Work continues on the frames and wheels at Bo'ness, although number 1 and 19 taking priority.
- Standard 4 No. 80105, owned by LOGS, work continues on the locomotive in the museum of Scottish Railways. Hoped to move the locomotive over to the overhaul shed in the near future.

In Storage:
- NBR J36 Maude, currently on loan to the National Railway Museum. Due back in the next three months, and will be stripped for inspection pending overhaul.

More information on the BKR fleet: www.srpssteam.com
More information on BKR services: www.bkrailway.co.uk

 

Deleted.

 

Well, Morayshire is now in lined British Railways black for the first time in nearly 50 years! There are more photographs in this months Steam Railway.
Her first public appearance is the lines 'Mixed Traffic Gala' on the 31st May/1st June. Anybody wishing to book onto the photo charters please contact Neil Cave or if not a Facebook user PM me and I shall pass you on.

 

That's good to hear. Sadly, I guess it's too late now to have her running again for the centenary of her departure for France in 1915; but perhaps the centenary of her return to Scotland in 1919 might be a feasible target?

 

It's hoped that she may be ready for the end of 2017 (and possibly a trip to France in 2018), but that will depend on the rest of the locomotives at Bo'ness and how much the SRPS can afford to contract out (donations welcome!). It is expected that she will require a new cylinder block, tyres and springs as well as a full overhaul so lots to do.

 

A quick update with major progress on several fronts:

- Austerity No.19 - final assembly underway, including the fitting out of the backhead pipework and painting. Expected to steam imminently, but sadly not in time for the mixed traffic gala on the 31st May and the 1st June.
- Caledonian 419 - The boiler is progressing at Ian Riley's workshop, and has recently had it's first hydraulic test.
- Std 4 No 80105 - The locomotive has been moved into the overhaul shed, and is being prepped for the removal of the tanks and boiler so full overhaul can commence in earnest.
- NCB No 1 - work progressing on locomotive's rapid overhaul with the frames and motion receiving attention at Bo'ness, new firebox being fabricated at contractor.
- D49 No 62712 - The locomotive has successfully entered traffic in BR black on a week of very enjoyable photographic charters, and is expected to share the bulk of summer services with No.7.
- Austerity No.75254 - In traffic and performing well.
- Prestongrange No. 6 - In traffic, yard shunter.

Just a quick reminder about the line's mixed traffic gala next weekend! 62712, 75254, 6, 55022, 26038, 37401, 47643 and 20020 set to star! More info at www.bkrailway.co.uk !

 

June Update:

62712 - in traffic after repairs to the ash pan and grate, and the installation of a new brick arch. Performing well, and expected to handle the bulk of summer services on the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.
55189 - repairs to the boiler have concluded with a successful steam test at Ian Riley's workshops, while repairs to the axel boxes continue at another contractor. Wheels have recently been repainted and lined out.
80105 - the strip down of the LOGS owned standard tank continues - space being made on site to store tanks, bunker and cab once they are eventually removed from the locomotive.
75254 - in traffic.
19 - the tank and chimney were refitted to the locomotive yesterday - and final fitting is expected to take place over the next few weeks. Along with No'1, this locomotive is the priority for shed volunteers.
1 - the major overhaul is continuing at a rapid pace, the painting of the frames is nearing completion while the wheels are due back soon from the contractors. The boiler is being worked on, and is in better condition than initially expected. Work on the motion continues apace at Bo'ness.
6 - Prestongrange No'6 is available for yard duties, and saw service at out recent mixed traffic gala as yard pilot.

 

End of July Update:

62712 - Back in traffic after repairs to the firebox. Work being carried out on a replacement piston packing for one of the cylinders. Other than that she is performing well and can be seen over summer on the B&KR.
55189 - Axle boxes have returned for stage 2 measuring before being returned to the contractor. The boiler steam test was a success and it will be returned back to Bo'ness in the not too distant future.
80105 - Dismantling continues. LOGS representative saying the locomotive will return to steam in approximately 4-5 years.
75254 - In traffic as the spare loco for the most of summer.
19 - On the final furlong of her overhaul. The tank is being painted and a small to do list is being worked away on prior to being moved over to the running shed for tests and final fettling. Hopefully she will return to service end of August or early September.
1 - The painting of the frames is all but complete. The wheelsets arrived back at Bo'ness last week and now await their turn to be painted before being returned to their rightful place under the locomotive. The motion is in the process of being rebuilt whilst there is plenty of space between the frames.
6 - Available for yard duties. Most recently a turn at the DOWT event.
65243 - Has finally received a date for her return home from the NRM and as soon as 19 is finished the examinations will take place to gauge the level of work being carried out on the locomotive in a bid to return her to service for 2017.

 

As the railways running season has just finished for the main operating season, an update on the locomotive situation:-

Operational
LNER D49 62712 - returned from the Great Central Railway after 9 successful steamings based around their autumn gala, and operated at our steam gala and steam & scream events. Now into the last year of its ticket, after which it will be withdrawn for a major overhaul.
NCB No'7 - has operated successfully over the past year, and expected to see use during the Santa specials.
NCB No'19 - sadly failed during the steam gala with vaccum brake issues, although work is underway to rectify this, and it is hoped that the locomotive will see use during the Santas specials.

Under Overhaul

BR 4mt 80105 - the overhaul of this locomotive is continuing with work focusing on preparation for the lifting of the tanks, bunker and boiler.
CR 439 55189 - the boiler of the popular Caley tank has been completed by contractors, and awaits transport back to Bo'ness. Work on the motion, axel boxes and frames continues at boness. It is hoped that this locomotive will enter traffic in 2015 or 2016.
NBR J35 65243 - this locomotive returned to Bo'ness during the summer, and a consultant has been employed to Apply for heritage lottery funding to return the locomotive to working order, hopefully for the end of 2017.
NCB No'1 - boiler work continues at a contractor, while the axel boxes are being refitted to the frames and inside motion assembled. It is hoped to re-wheel this lcomotive in not too distant future.

Of Interest

LMS 8f 45170 - this lcomotive is due to arrive at Bo'ness before the end of the year, and an appeal to raise the costs of its purchase and overhaul is to be launched imminently. It is hoped, subject to funds, that this locomotive will follow Morayshire into the works for restoration to begin.

 

With the year drawing to a close, a little update on the locos at Bo'ness:

62712 - In traffic, running well. Details of a spring tour are currently being finalised, likley to be the last time she crosses the border during her current boiler certificate. Boiler ticket expires November 8th 2015.
75254 - In traffic, running well. Expected to handle 'Black Bun' trains on the 30/31st prior to being winterised. Boiler ticket expires 2021.
No.19 - Winterised, repairs having being completed and successfully tested. Boiler ticket expires 2024.
No.1 - The locomotive was re-wheeled on the 20th December after the wheels were fitted with new tyres at the SDR, assembly of the firebox continues at a contractor. Hoped to return to steam summer 2015.
55189 - The boiler has been tested successfully, and is awaiting the completion of the frames prior to fitting. With No'19 now finished, attention has turned to this locomotive alongside No.1.
80105 - All tubes have been removed from the boiler of the popular standard tank, and the motion removed. Being prepared for a boiler lift in the New Year.
65243 - Application in the process of being developed for heritage lottery funding.

 

Fingers crossed for Maude, 1) Just because 0-6-0 goods engines were the backbone of the railway very much the unsung workhorses. And 2) It would be nice to have some sort of event with 5322 &. 63601 in 2018, know its not long but it's achievable.

 

Prior to the commencement of the summer running season in a few weeks..

62712 - in service, ticket expires early November. Has completed a successful tour of the NVR, NNR and Barrow Hill. Locomotive now set to remain in Bo'ness for the rest of her ticket.
19 - in service and running well. Booked to visit the Middleton Railway for their Hunslet Gala in July.
75254 - in service. Planned to undertake some work on the bottom half during the summer to ensure reliability whilst 19 and 75254 share the brunt of services in 2016.
55189 - the axel boxes are undergoing final finishing touches prior to being fitted to the frames and the locomotive re-wheeled. Boiler finished and awaiting collection at the boiler smith.
1 - the bottom half is nearing completion, rolling road set up. Boiler at contractors and is delayed. Once work has been completed to the extent that the rolling chassis is ready to accept the boiler, work will stop and turn to 55189.
45170 - the appeal fund now stands at around £51,000.

Lottery Grant for a new steam shed progresses, we will hopefully have some indication about whether successful (first stage) at the end of July!

 

Ah, forgot that one! Bunker/Cab and tanks have been removed from frames, all tubes temoved from boiler and boiler is ready to come out (simply waiting for an availble crane). All external motion has been removed too.

 

The boiler was removed from 80105 this weekend, and the fully overhauled boiler for 419 returned.

8f fund now at about £53,000 - steadily rising!

 

Gents,

A final opportunity to photograph 62712 "Morayshire" in her BR black livery has arisen. The dates for this are provisionally the 26th and 27th of October (immediately after the gala), subject to achieving an adequate level of bookings.

The intended stock is a rake of 3 Blood and Custard Mark 1 coaches one day with a rake of three marron Mark 1 coaches the other. There is potential use of 2 or 3 12T vans in the consist but this wont be confirmed until closer to the time.

Further to this there will be at least 1 new photographic location when compared to the May charters of last year, as well as tree clearance to improve the aesthetics of other locations.

If you are interested then please contact @steam_mad on his page's email address: insearchofsteam[at]outlook.com (replace [at] with @) we look forward to hearing from you!

 

The SRPS said goodbye to two friends today as 'Morayshire' made her final runs adorned with a wreath in memory of former Operations Director, SRPS director, driver, signalman, fitter and liaison with the Railway Inspectorate Ian Gordon.

Both Ian and the locomotive will be sorely missed at Bo'ness, and Morayshire is now withdrawn pending a major overhaul.

 

How things stand at present north of the border:

68007 - In service, intermediate overhaul, including full re-tube and attention to the bottom end, completed over the winter. Recently repainted into British Railway's black as a J94.
19 - In service, running very well following fitting of a new lempor exhaust by the steam shed fitter.
6 - In service, available to act as station pilot.
80105 - Under overhaul, boiler out of frames and being assessed. The process of stripping, cleaning and assessing parts continues.
55189 - Under overhaul, Progressing slowly, hoped to have the loco wheeled soon.
1 - Under overhaul, bottom end complete and loco simply awaiting the return of her boiler from the contractor.
62712 - In store, shortly to be moved into the Museum of Scottish Railways whilst contractors tender for her overhaul. New 10 year agreement in place with the NMS for her to remain in the care of the SPRS.
65243 - In store, no progress to report.

The purchase appeal for 45170 continues apace - fund now in excess of £90,500 of the £110,000 target (the deadline for which is November 2017!).

 

Caley 419 re-wheeled today!

 

Has to be one of my favourite little engines
Look forward to seeing it in traffic again.