7027 Thornbury Castle

Can't wait to see this rocket along the line with a full rake of Chocolate & Creams rattling behind it.
This, 6990, 46521 and 92214 = Best chuffin' event the GCR has ever thrown!

 

Progress on 7027 looks very encouraging. ISTR various work being done over many years during previous ownerships, but don't know to what standard this was done. I understand that the boiler is in good condition. Does anybody have an overview of the size of the task involved in the current restoration? I'm guessing it's a lot more than cleaning it up and bolting it all together!

 

Basically the chassis has been completely stripped and it is being rebuilt from that point. All parts going on are being either new or refurbished to as new condition. There were many parts missing and new ones are being made. It arrived on the GCR just before Covid and was planned to be a three year restoration. I suspect this has slipped a bit but given that the finance is there, I think completion in 2024 is a realistic prospect.

 

There have been more steel sections added to the cab end of the chassis and more new parts ready for installation elsewhere.

 

On the Thornbury Facebook site there is a picture of the newly machined safety valves being finished. The driving wheels are being painted having been cleaned, needle gunned, primed, undercoated and now getting their black top coats.

 

Here are the latest pictures showing the steady progress on the frames.

 

Great! Thanks for updating and share your photos Flying Phil

Knut

 

It's a pleasure Knut...here is another one.

 

This is the other side!

 

Great to see this loco in good hands at last. What is the engine to the right of 7027?

 

Probably 777 Sir Lamiel, isn't it? Looks the right colour, and the lining's right…

Simon

 

Meee-owww! It's a damned pity there's not a second N15 that's been awaiting some long overdue TLC, but it has to be admitted, the "mainline" Castles have done the reputation of Mr Collett's 'Big40s' no harm whatever.

The rate of progress on 7027 is most impressive. For some odd reason, the specific location where I'd love to see it in harness is Weston-super-Mare. Probably something to do with missing that sight by a couple of years, back when I were an anklebiter.

 

Also in "Main Line" #190 it says that the firebox doesn't seem to need any significant work apart from a few protective steel nuts on the inside of the doorplate and there is some pitting on the lowest areas.
Here is a picture of the front end as people seem to like pictures!

 

Proper job. Thanks for all your updates on this and other locos, Phil.

 

I thin you might be over-interpreting my comment…?

 

Now you mention it, I think my eyesight test must be due .....

 

In Phil's photo (#793), is Sir Lamiel's cab side missing a '7', or does my eyesight also need testing?

 

Just a very strong reflection from the building rooflights hiding the central '7' on the back of the tender, isn't it? Other angles show all three.

 

I agree that on post 793 the cab number is 77....some over enthusiastic cleaning, or prep for repainting started?

 

At least compared to the fairly sharply curved 18 mile N.Y.M.R. the new 18 mile stretch of G.C.R. the G.C.R. will have nice straight track to run 7027 Thornbury castle and possibly other big loco,s once the G.C.R. N. and S. are rejoined in maybe 2 years time.
Davo 56F