Furness Railway No.25

FR 20's saddle tank twin seems to have dropped right off the radar, if it was ever on it. Last I can find anything about this loco is from 2008, that it was acquired by Bert Hitchens, of 45231 and 34027 fame, and that it could be restored in 2 years. Before this, I understand it was static at Steamtown as Percy, and presumably is still at Carnforth now

5231 has recently had a heavy general so could have easily halted a smaller project, but does anyone know anything about this loco?

 

Last I heard, work had started on it but since Bert's death I have no idea whether work will continue or not. Would be nice to see it run maybe as a tribute to Bert perhaps?

 

Considering it's heritage, I'm surprised the furness railway trust has never shown interest in it. Certainly if restored, it would make an interesting comparison to No. 20 in it's original form, showing folks what it once looked like. Not to mention it appears to be a lovely engine in it's own right.

 

With having three locos in running condition, a fourth being worked on along with the rest of their collection needing attention I would imagine that they have enough to get on with. Would be nice to see a piece from my local area back in action.
The steelworks kept the best locos when it was nationalised and the ironworks got the locos that were in not so great a condition.

 

I've seen pictures from 2013 which seem to show it outside the shed, unwheeled, unboilered and with some new cab sheeting. How far it progressed in the interim is anyone's guess, was it reported as up for sale when the Hitchens estate advertised 5231?

Personally, I'd love to be able to see Copperknob, FR20 and FR25 (in tank form) all together, presumably at York - has Copperknob ever been reunited with either of its stablemates? If not, it must have been at least 100 years since last it 'saw' either of them

 

Coppernob went to the LHR when they celebrated 150 years of the Furness Railway. I remember it well as I took pictures off the engine on the lowloader and watched it being unloaded. It had been displayed in front of Barrow town hall earlier that day.
That was just before FR20 was done. So they didn't meet there. I have a feeling FR20 has been to York for the 2012 railfest so they might have got the two together at some point then. Would need to ask the FRT lads the next time I see them

 

It did attend, but I believe Copperknob stayed in the main hall throughout the event and 20 in the other yard, so I don't think they were ever together

 

They missed an opportunity there then.

 

2013 photo of No 25 at Steamtown here, plus one taken in 1973:

https://andrewstransport.smugmug.co...-2013/28089003_pm7HKJ#!i=2375705150&k=PtzjwdH

Cheers

Andrew N

 

Reputed to require a completely new boiler but mechanically OK.

 

Tremendous news, no better possible outcome. Is this the loco the late Bert Hitchen had acquired and was working on as a side project?

 

This page gives more info. and confirms the loco has been generously donated by Bert Hitchen’s executors. Hope they restore it with the stripes. Fluff too.
http://www.furnessrailwaytrust.org.uk/bhsco17.htm

 

Brilliant news.

The restoration I note includes restoring it to its industrial origins.

Part of me is glad of that - but another part of me thinks “two FR 0-4-0s” - and I would pay to see that.

Just my personal view, you understand. No criticism of the FR trust or Hitchen estate at all. It’s a tremendous thing they’ve done.

 

Great little locomotive and a good addition to the FR. It makes a pleasant change to read about the workhorses that helped build Britain being in the limelight rather than 4-6-0's and Pacifics.

 

A bit if a thread bump. But now give to the Furness railway trust in Berts will. Overhaul to start soon too.

 

Already possible, if you can persuade the NRM to let Coppernob out of the Great Hall for a while (which they have done once before!)

Also, FR20 was unique in retaining her original driving wheels when converted to a saddletank. The others were all rebuilt with smaller driving wheels, which would make restoration to original condition a more expensive proposition.

And although the conversion of FR 20 produced a very historically-significant engine, it must be remembered that a lot of material from the saddle tanke conversion - which, though not 'original' to the engine, was still historic - had to be discarded.

So although there was a very good case for converting FR 20 back to original condition, I think there is an equally strong case for keeping FR 25 in her current form. But as ever - the most important thing is that she had found a good home!

 

But isn't Coppernob boiler one of the worst condition boilers in the Collection along with the LMS Crab and it would cost a lot of money to restore.

 

Who said anything about restoring it? In any case, last time I saw it, Coppernob was in very presentable condition, so no “restoration” required.

I think the juxtaposition of “Coppernob”, FR20 and (once restored) FR25 would mark an interesting progression in design and subsequent history of modifications etc.

Tom

 

I rember these very well what happened to the one that was at the caravan site on walney island ?