Lucas Firing shovels

Hi all
Im looking for a genuine 1959 onwards lucas firing shovel. It must be an Eastern spoon type. Im not looking for a western spade or southern one.
If anyone has one which they might be willing to part with i would love to hear from them.
CHEERS! :smt100

 

You'll be lucky! Hen's teeth and rocking horse what nots spring to mind. They occasionally turn up on eBay at silly prices.

 

i know of 2-3 that are doing nothing at the moment on a railway. doubt they are up for sale though.

 

Bought one of mine from a traction engine rally. it was only 25 - 30 quid, and still with a good length of blade.

Definetly worth a look next year when the season kicks off again. Ones on ebay go for silly prices.

 

Hehe I know where they are too!

 

Keep an eye on the Collectors Fairs and swapmeets, also look out for a decent blade and replace the handle if necessary

 

Reminds me of THIS. :-D

 

Classic...

 

Brand new short handled and long handled shovels available from here:

http://www.4930hagleyhall.org.uk/index.htm

Look under "Sales" in the menu.

46118

 

Ah but this is all very well if you desire a pressed shovel. Whilst they are good and of quality, they are not to be confused with a shovel with forged blade. When you pick one of these up you will know the difference, not only in weight but also the difference that can make to your firing technique. I too would like to own one but havn;t seen one for sale in over a year of looking.

 

Very true. Horses for courses really - a Western pressed 'JCB' is little use on a Gresley K4!
Sorry but my Eastern Lucus shovel isn't for sale!

 

I suppose it might prove useful in March?

 

Whilst we're on the subject...

Has anyone any evidence of FORGED BR(S) shovels? I'm sure I was loaned one for the day on the Moors about 15 yrs ago. Definitely southern, and I distinctly remember the weight... Forged not pressed.

As Gresleyman says, a forged shovel is a lot heavier, and, in my view, the momentum does the work for you. But don't loose any sleep if you can't get one. I did most of my firing turns at the Moors (ie about 200) using a Western clone produced by Mr Beesley. You can fire over the flap of an LMS/ Std engine with it, and it's fine on several LNER types too - K1, (so surely K4), J27. Perfect for WR locos, OK on Maunsels, and an absolute dream on WC's - instant backend! The only thing it's useless for is eastern wide boxes. The dimensions of this shovel are very close to a Lucas BR(W) shovel that I've recently obtained. It's more a case of getting used to a particular tool...

A couple of the guys from the Moors that fire for WCRC prefer modern pressed shovels... Lighter than forged ones, so less effort?

Seriously, if anyone's got a Southern forged shovel, please can you post a pick, thanks.

 

Ha ha ha, nice one Matt.

 

I agree about the weight of the Lucas shovel giving momentum accurate firing does seem easier with a forged blade, you certainly notice the difference with the lighter replicas. I've got an original Lucas BR(M) short handled version which is beautifully balanced and I don't intend to part with it, even though I don't get many firing turns these days, sorry Matt! If you can't get hold of an ER shovel, an MR one will do the job for at 71B (that's supposing you can get hold of one, better lock mine up!).

 

I agree a MR shovel will do the job if your on a large industrial, but you really should aim for the real thing.

 

Personally I think if the shovel is good and you as a fireman feel comfortable with it and it does the job you want it to do; then what is the problem? Yes some are designed for longer fireboxes, some are short for short cabs and some are short with a wide blade......... But the above is how I feel when firing...

 

The pressed blade shovels may be lighter and easier to handle but I find that the forged Lucas cuts into the coal on the shovelling plate with far more ease than the modern pressed ones. If there's a choice between the two, it is no competition. The Lucas enables you to do the job so much more easily. I'm surprised that nobody in the movement has been able to organise any new forged blades. After all, it is not as though forged shovels were a thing of the past. virtually all garden spades (and forks) of any quality have forged blades.

 

What it takes is for someone with a few quid to spare to speak to a contact in the Chinese Embassy... Couple of shipping containers later... Ebay...

I did a heck of a lot of firing, some of it in the company of Steve, using a repro pressed blade. However, it's never gone near a loco since I laid hands on my first Lucas.