Finnish TK3 1151 at Southend on Sea

Sorry, I'm confusing my numbers (going senile, or at least stir crazy what with working from home for months!)
Thank you for confirming the location of 1016 (which was not the one pictured. ).

 

There is , or was another Finnish 2-8-0 and an 0-6-0 tank at Selinge, don't know if they are still there, Talking about these engines, it was thought they were designed to be re gaugeable to standard gauge, but I'm not sure if that is correct or not,
the coasting valves on the cylinders seem to be the biggest problem if they are capable of being converted as surely these are outside of any standard gauge restriction, even taking continental loading gauge, But saying that, somewhere like the nene valley certainly would make a good home for one, if it was found to be possible. , is Finnish gauge, 5ft, or 5ft 3" ?

 

5ft, - same as Russia.
Ray.

 

For many years I used to pass this locomotive every day on my way to work.
It was located at Enfield Timber Company’s premises in Ponders End:

 

Which makes sense as Finland didn't become independent of Russia until 1917.

 

I don't know how 'Accurate' it was, but I was told that it would be possible to re-gauge the Finnish locomotives to standard gauge by 'Simply' using offset tyres, but although I have the greatest respect for the engineer who told Me this We have now lost him and I have no way of confirming one way or the other.

 

Easy to do I'm sure...

Just like hinging the chimney of Scotsman to clear the bridges (from when the previous owners were planning on redeveloping the Ongar Branch. They also spoke of regauging the whole line to 5' gauge and running Scandinavian-style diners.)

 

I know the gentleman who originally made the remark about the chimney, and it was a very much tongue in cheek response to a question about clearances under the M11 bridge. Unfortunately some people are unable to recognise a joke and have continued to quote it as a real intention (despite the owners having lowered the track bed a few months later. Some were still continuing to quote it even after we started running the DMU under there (perhaps they thought we had lowered the roof )).

 

Enfield was a bit of a Mecca for Finnish steam locomotives.
In addition to the one at Ponders End, VR Hr1 1016 was in a yard adjacent to Southbury station for many years:

 

They all started off at a site in Acton, Suffolk (near Sudbury) and they did hold an open day there back in 1992.......

 

It would seem that the rods on the running boards of 1060 (at the very least) haven't moved from that position in all the engine's travels. Interesting to see what they used to look like.

 

I remember this rather silly comment from many years ago, BUT I can assure You that the 'Offset tyres' comment did not come from the same man, It came from a very experienced Ex BR steam engineer Who's opinion I would respect far more than that of the 'Chimney Hinger', having worked with Him on another essex based Great Eastern project many years ago. Just for the record I have no involvement with either the owner of these locomotives or The Epping and Ongar Railway

 

This unidentified Finish loco is a gate guardian at Bressingham Steam Museum.

 

It’s Tk3 No. 1144.

 

One on home turf,Tk3 1150 ,leaving Jyvaskyla with a special to Sudlahti Harbour. A tender full of logs.12/071998.

 

Just found out that this loco was more than just a display item, it actually had a practical use. For years it was used as the storage vessel for the sawdust extraction system at the Timber Yard.