Townsend Hook

Does anyone know the current status of 'Townsend Hook' at Amberley? Their website indicates that its undergoing long-term restoration, I just wondered whether anyone was aware of any updates.

Many thanks

Nick

 

At present Townsend Hook remains a kit of parts, but at the moment we don't have the manpower nor the finances for restoration. A substantial amount of engineering work on the frames and running gear was completed to a high standard at Eastleigh Technical College but an unfortunate situation arose when the college’s syllabus took a sudden turn towards more modern engineering practices as opposed to the traditional skills. Therefore, the loco as a collection of parts were returned to the Museum. All parts are accounted for and mostly stored undercover; thoughts are turning to reassembly simply to keep it all in one piece, with future plans for cosmetic restoration.

Hope that helps,

James.

 

Yo,

I took these last year around September time for a 16mm scale model i was building. Hope they are of interest!
I would love to see this little loco in steam again on Amberley's dual gauge track.

Anyone know the status of its twin, William Finlay? I think its in better condition.

Rob

 

Thank you both.

Would love to help you out with the manpower issue, unfortunately unless you're prepared to transport the loco to Plymouth I fear my opportunities may be somewhat limited!

The last I heard of William Finlay it was stored at Black Bush Airfield in Hampshire; not heard anything of it for a while though.

Regards

Nick

 

Not any more.... the last I heard (here we go again!) Finlay was being fettled to go on display which has to be good news... don't ask me where or by whom as I do not know anything about it other than the loco is in good hands.

 

I expect that most of you have seen the pictures of Townsend Hook on my Fotopic site. However, if anyone has not, they were taken at Sheffield Park in 1960 and 1961, soon after the loco's arrival for preservation. Here are the links :

http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/p56083466.html

http://ronfisher.fotopic.net/p42113312.html

 

It would be good if they could just put it back together into something like its 1961 condition. At the moment it is a very sad sight.

Presumably if it was one of the "standard" narrow gauges someone would have restored it by now.

Richard

 

Thats a good point! It being an unusual gauge of 3ft 2 1/2 inch or thereabouts!

 

According to this website, William Finlay is at Beamish. Is this true??
http://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=4986

Cheers!
Rob

 

It is private ownership in the North East.

 

Thanks Anthony!

 

For the sake of perhaps a quater of an inch is this not a Metre gauge loco?

There is at least one metre gauge preserved railway in the UK already - Irchester:
http://www.ingrt.freeuk.com/index.htm

Regards,
Gareth

 

Hi, an update on Townsend Hook's status: a cosmetic restoration is being started at Amberley Museum. However, as our railgroup head has just said in an email, it 'could be a life's work'! I would welcome any pictures or drawings to help me work out what goes where =) There seems to be some confusion on the gauge here, TH is in fact 3' 2¼" gauge. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gXDyXwtN50 for a video of TH being shunted, on a rare trip outside the shed. Also check out http://townsendhook.weebly.com/.

 

Any updates on the progress of Townsend Hook?

Can anyone recommend any books that might be available on the railways at Dorking Greystone Lime Quarries and its Locos?
I'm re-building a model of TH, and would like to know what the accurate livery was. I understand it was painted maroon red with black border, however was it lined? Also what colour were the frames, red, maroon or black?

Many thanks for any help!

Regards,
Rob

 

TOWNSEND HOOK AND THE RAILWAYS OF THE DORKING GREYSTONE LIME CO. LTD
(ISBN: 0950472042 / 0-9504720-4-2 )
J. L TOWNSEND

Long out of print, but a search on http://www.abebooks.co.uk/ should turn up a copy.

 

Thanks Ken!

 

A quick update: the boiler has been lifted from the frames (see http://www.amberleynarrowgauge.co.uk/t-hook.htm for pictures) and when I get back down south from uni I'm going jack the frame off the wheelsets, refurb the wooden replacement axle boxes, paint the wheelsets and frames and throw it all back together. Hopefully Townsend Hook should be on display at Amberley Museum's Industrial Trains Day on 17th April 2011.

Best place for regular updates would be the Townsend Hook Facebook page (type 'Townsend Hook Project' into Facebook search) or if you're not on FB my fotopic site (jslaughts.fotopic.net).

Jack

 

Townsend Hook Update! The inside motion has been refitted, and we are currently awaiting a crane to drop the boiler back in the frames. In the meantime, the outside motion will be refitted soon, with completion of the whole cosmetic restoration set for mid 2013. After that I start fundraising for a new boiler Best place for regular updates is Townsend Hook Project | Facebook