1589 "Newstead"

We certainly know that at least one of the works plates had vanished by the time it was saved from scrap (the one that turned up at auction earlier in the year and has also been reunited with the loco). The nameplates vanished during its working life and we had presumed them scrapped/damaged at some point - it seemed many colliery engines has the cast plates replaced with handmade ones at some point in their lives so we never thought they would turn up. The fact that on this occasion the auction house had the awareness to get in touch when they turned up was a welcome surprise.

In general loco updates - the boiler has recently been tested up to 90psi (first time it's done this since the 1990s!) New tubeplate was fitted and the usual stay replacements. Current estimates have it due back in the early part of 2025. As it stands the rolling chassis is almost ready to receive it; some final minor jobs to do for the valve gear and (more) painting on the cladding/bodywork, but subject to the usual caveats I personally foresee it's public preservation debut taking place some time in mid 2025.

 

Last week was a major milestone for the restoration - the boiler back in the frames! Lagging and cladding and more are well advanced since. With a team working near enough every day on it, the Easter target is well within grasp...

 

Interesting paint job on the rods. Not something I recall seeing before. Original?

 

Will look great pounding up and down the Spa Valley

 

As I understand it, below the running boards is all done as per Hunslet's original notes for the Fitzwilliam paint scheme, which includes lined purple-brown frames and - as you say - the black sections of the coupling rods. Very smart I think and different too. Further updates to follow...

 

Looking more and more like an engine...

 

She's going to look an absolute treat.

Credit to the team restoring her.

 

I’m so so excited for this one to return. I’m even considering ordering Newstead nameplates for my Rapido Hunslet 16” ‘Alex’ (as the closest match) and presumably it’s obvious why that’s a significant one to choose to rename for me!

 

Why not just buy a second 'Alex' to rename...?

 

It might well happen in future! But there are other liveries I'd like to collect first, before i duplicate!

 

Slowly making progress. The end is in sight, but no date for steaming yet...

 

Is it simply perspective or are those door hinges at an angle?

 

Distortion from the camera lens by the looks of it.

 

Newstead will be moving in the next few weeks to take up residency on the North Norfolk Railway.

As the overhaul nears completion, the owner and Spa Valley Railway management looked at the potential for operating contacts there, but with sort, medium and long term loco hires in place since its arrival, plus the upcoming return of the Jinty, the railway felt couldn't offer a contract that would make suitable use of the engine.

It is hoped that Newstead will enter traffic at the easter bank holiday Spring into Steam event - watch this space.

(Ironically, Ring Haw was on hire at TWW as our overhaul started. Now, Newstead heads to Norfolk as Ring Haw's overhaul progresses...)

 

That's an amazing comment on what a strong position the Spa Valley is in at the moment regarding steam locomotives. And presumably at some point Newstead will make a return visit to TWW so the railway who restored it can get to enjoy the fruits of their labour!

 

Will the loco return to the SpVR at some point for running and it's next overhaul, or will it be permanently based at the NNR from now on?

 

To clarify, the volunteers working on Newstead are primarily all ones who came in and started specifically on the locomotive, and many of us will go with the loco when it moves. The Spa Valley's own long-standing volunteers were not involved for the most part as it was an independent project (although there is/was inevitably a small crossover in places).

I think it is hoped to return to Spa Valley for a visit at some point, but I believe any long term base there is unlikely. I'm not privy to the full contract details so can't comment conclusively but it is certainly to be based at the NNR for the foreseeable.

 

Thanks for the info - good luck with the move and first steaming!

 

It'd be nice if Newstead could make a trip to the NVR at some point in the future - that's where I first saw it and someone busily working on it one sunny day (I'd gone there for lunch, when the much-missed Chris was running the café at Wansford). I had a small sum of cash in my pocket at the time and handed it to the gentleman concerned towards its restoration It and Ring Haw double-heading would be a fine sight.

 

It does reflect well on the SpVR in that sense - they have 828 on loan for at least the rest of 2025, plus the Bulleid and the Jinty is almost ready. Jonny Pay has also confirmed that they've already booked for 80080 to return once or twice this year when they know they'll need the capacity so it's sensible in my view to get Newstead some regular work and income elsewhere.

If someone from the Newstead project is on here... is the loco likely to be available for hire to other railways? Specifically... is there any chance of it making a visit home to Yorkshire at some point?