Black 5 No.45379

Looks as though, according to the MHR website. that the boiler is likely to be fitted to the frames on Friday.

AT LAST!!!!!

 

It is making good progress but still a lot to do, the old saying goes "perfection takes time"

 

Anyone got any pics of the lift today? If not, hopefully there maybe an update to the official website soon.

I fully understand that perfection takes time.

 

Certainly much faster progress than when it was at the Avon Valley Railway. I remember a chap there telling me that they had removed rust from an area around the tender and replaced it with filler #-o . <BJ>

 

I had no idea it had been at the Avon Valley, it that's right it's certainly been around a bit. I'm told it came to the MHR from the GCR northern base at Ruddington.

 

I think at one time the West bSomerset had an option to buy it - I vaguely remember an appeal for £45379 to buy and restore it.......

 

45379 arrived at Bitton in 1974 and left in 1996 for Rudington

 

Thank you Sturdon, I knew someone on Net Pres would have the info.

 

The '5' was owned by a small group of about 6, when at Bitton. for various reasons the group broke up ( one died and two moved away) that was in the early 90's.

 

I do feel sorry for the groups, not only at Bitton, but elsewhere too, who bought engines with nothing but good intentions, but were never able to fulfill them. I suspect that seeing the engine you have worked on for years finally make it's first moves must be a fantastic moment. I know some have criticized groups in the past, but I think praise where it's due. But for the people who tried, some of these engines may not have survived this long.

 

Arriving at Bitton in 1974:

http://simon71.fotopic.net/p21680909.html


The guys who originally bought it never really had the finance to rebuild it - but at least it left Barry sooner than a lot of other engines.

 

Further information of interest about 45379 can be found here: http://semaphore.avonvalleyrailway.org/ ... kings.html
and here: http://semaphore.avonvalleyrailway.org/ ... alrun.html

A photo also showing 45379 can be found on this page here: http://semaphore.avonvalleyrailway.org/ ... nties.html

I remember visiting Bitton in about 1989 and saw the frames and wheelsets which were undergoing overhaul, i believe that was the extent of work that was done apart from stripping the loco apart in the first place. Incidentally i also seem to remember that the loco came from Barry with most of its fittings and motion.

 

Some where in that pic is me - but I couldn't tell you, now, where.

 

One crosshead, both eccentric rods and both coupling rods were missing on its arrival at Bitton.
No injectors, second-hand injectors were obtained from South Africa.
New un-machined rods were obtained and stored on site.
The bogies and the driving wheels were all sent to Swindon for turning. A new ash-bin was made on site.
The tender tank was removed from its chassis and new panels welded in where required, NO filler was ever used on any part of the loco.

 

Proves there is still hope for others!!! But 45379 still shows the MHR can get a loco to running condition as they can do with the Std too....

 

Unfortunately I cannot agree as I know the guy who actually did it.

<BJ> .....who walks past the Bitton site each day.

 

Whether filler was or was not used on the tender, it does not matter anymore as the MHR had a new tank built for the chassis to give the longest service life.

 

I think this has somewhat passed to the MHR now...

 

What? I know i dont make sence half the time , but andy ,,,,think about how it sounds to others before posting !

 

any idea on when she is likily to be ready for her first steam trials, will the boiler be re tested to re set the clock to give it 10 years on the boiler ? any chance on it being in steam in september in the yard? [-o<