Matheran 740

Hi I agree, while I was not part of the team that got her into steam at buzzard, I know a number of them and most of them have said the same as you Ian it will be expensive.

I have been given as estimate for a new 2ft gauge steam loco between £1.25 to £1.5 million pounds. Assuming that the boiler barrel and firebox are OK and that the frames don't need much work done to them either, that leaves all the running gear, suspension and the wheel sets* to be overhauled and a full set of new boiler tubes to be fitted then of course the braking system as well. I would not be surprised if it reached £750,000+ for a rebuild.

Would it still be worth it? I think so, should such an overhaul be carried out, you might you don't have to go through such an overhaul for some time.

* this is also based on that the Hayward axles being in good shape.

 

I'm led to belive that there are quite a few missing paerts such as safety valves etc, also less then helfpul when taking on a restauration project

 

The frame was sound and in line. There were no replacement parts anticipated but there was re-machining required Eg horn blocks. There was was also wear and impact damage which if doing a full rebuild would need action. The boiler barrel was sound but in the course of 100 years significant repairs to the boiler had been undertaken and are no longer fit for purpose. The back head and L/H side would need to be replaced as well as the usual (stays, tubes etc)
I do not think I am divulging any confidential information in the above as this could have been seen by anyone (with detailed knowledge and experience of steam) when viewing the loco when it was for sale the last time in Peterborough. I would add that this is my own statement of the locos condition about say 15 years ago and other people may have a different understanding of what was / is required. Given that it has since been disassembled I would not be surprised if items have gone missing.

 

I am sure that when she was at Buzzard she wasn't on a reduce boiler pressure and I think she will make a great loco again, if you assume and to be honest you shouldn't do any way but allowing for most of the Brass and bronze parts to have go missing it will be that more expensive to rebuild.

That said I think a loco like this the key to getting her back in steam will be setting up some sort of charitable ownership trust.

 

One of the problems is that narrow gauge locos do not generate an income stream. I am not sure if any railway that pays “steaming fees”. Anyone that takes it on and restores it will be doing so for personal pleasure and will not in any way gain back any of the money spent. The finished restored loco on the open market will be worth £200K tops!!! It will need someone that wants the kudos of owning a loco and the pockets to feed that.

 

I have difficulty believing the £750K+ estimate at the start of this thread. That's standard gauge territory for relatively small loco that is basically complete. Unless the whole overhaul was professionally done and there are some undiscovered horrors waiting I suggest that somewhere between a third and a half of that estimate would be a reasonable budget. Still doesn't make much financial sense though!

 

I can tell you that the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway pays steam fees to loco owners, but that only happen if you sign up for an annual contract.

From what I have been able to find a brand new L&BR 2-6-2T river class is in the region of £1.5 million each one.

 

For those following 740 this has gone out today:

Sheffield 19/07/23 V2 Edit

Following the conclusion of negotiations I am very happy to announce that the future of
Matheran Hill Railway number 740 has been secured. Within the next month it will be
leaving Alston for assessment and overhaul at a private site with the help of a number of
industry contractors. No date has yet been set for its return to steam, but it is hoped that it
will be relatively rapid.

There has been a lot of conversation in the enthusiast community since the end of 740's
last boiler ticket about the manner in which it is displayed.

I've watched the Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust's work to not only save 19B but also to
engage in education and inclusion of the Indian diaspora, and I'd like to join them in those
efforts. During the course of the Trust's development I have been in close contact with
them as they develop their strategy for the future. It is planned that 740 will take up
residence at the Statfold Barn Railway to be displayed with 19B, and will also be available
to visit other 2 foot gauge railways with it and on its own.

We have a collective responsibility to tell the story of these wonderful national assets, and
I am determined that whilst in my care the locomotive will be available to the largest
number of people possible and be used to help secure the future of our wonderful hobby
by including those who may otherwise not feel welcome or encouraged to participate for
any reason.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank David Granath of the South Tynedale Railway, Jeremy Davey of the The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust, Martyn Ashworth from Workshop X and Henry Noon of the Statfold Narrow Gauge Heritage Trust, who together have made this venture possible.

On behalf of the trustees of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, David Granath, Chair, expressed delight that no 740 will be going to an organisation that can restore the loco in order that the public can enjoy it in the future.

740 will in time join ex-Ingenio Y Refineria San Martin del Tabacal O+K 10956/1925
number T907, ex South African Railways/Grindrod General Electric UM6B 91.016 and
COFERNA 3821/1950 under the umbrella of a charitable trust, the formation of which is
currently underway.

Further details are to follow.
Miss Madison Dolby, Darnall Locomotive and Railway Heritage
Email address for public contact: darnall_loco@outlook.com
Instagram: instagram.com/darnall_loco

END

 

I personally very much hope you are correct

 

For your sake, so do I!

 

Good luck with the added responsibility for looking after and returning her to working order.

 

A couple of photos from last week of the cab, bunker and tanks which have graduated from the wagon they've lived on since arriving to the loading area ready for collection on the 23rd.

 

And one of the freshly cleared and swept chassis waiting for the big shunt.