Prairie progress

Anyone know how the restoration fo 5532 and 5539 at Llangollen and 5538 at Flour Mills is progressing? Also, is the Dean Forest Railway's 5541 close to finishing her overhaul yet?

Cheers, Rob

 

Both 5538 & 5541 are at the DFR. 5541 should be back in service late this year! 5538 in a few years time.

 

Work on 5539 has presently halted, as 6430 required repairs over the winter (both owned by Hugh Shipton).

5532 always has a small bunch of volunteers working on her practically every weekend though not too sure what their latest is.

 

Thanks both - is 5538 also to be based at the DFR then? Good news on 5541, wanted to visit the line for a while but will save it until it's back in traffic.

Lil Bear, do you know how far 5539 has progressed? In a few years time Llangollen is going to have a superb collection of running GWR locos

 

Err no. Don't know what the latest is to be perfectly honest. Sorry

 

I understood there is/was some sort of delay with the receipt of the new cylinder castings for 5539, which logistically limits progress on the bottom end until these are machined and in place.

 

With reference to 5532, I was was speaking to a couple of the lads yesterday. The brake rigging , steam brake cylinder, & handbrake gear are now complete. The full time staff are due to start on fitting the cylinder end covers ,slide bars & outside rods sometime this coming week.The new cab & bunker are complete & fitted. The boiler is still sitting in the carriage works yard, untouched. The pony trucks are complete & await fitting.
As for 5539 work has stopped for the time being.

Bob.