GER No.229 (Neilson 2119/1876) restored

After a very long time out of the public eye, under overhaul at the Flour Mill, it looks like this former Stratford Works shunter will soon be back in action for 'Titans of Steam' at Hopetown (20th Sep - 5th October.)

The 'Hopetown Darlington' Facebook page says:
Another titan, albeit a little smaller than most, has joined the lineup of Titans of Steam!
Built by Neilson of Glasgow in 1876, the GER 229 has not been steamed since 1948. It has been overhauled at the Flour Mill Locomotive Works in the Forest of Dean and its appearance in Darlington will be its operational debut!

A more detailed biography, including industrial service in Chepstow from 1917, is at:
Neilson & Co Works No 2119 Great Eastern Railway 229 0-4-0ST – Preserved British Steam Locomotives

 

I remember Her at North Woolwich Old Station Museum. The building is now used as a church.

 

I think the Mid Suffolk would make a perfect home for her

 

That's interesting, we visited there yonks ago. One of those buildings you'd like to pick up and reuse on a heritage line somewhere...

 

If anyone is interested!

 

Remember going there when I was a youngish teenager and was first allowed to go to London on my own - change at Richmond off the 4VEP and I think a 2HAP the whole length of the North London Line. Happy days!

Tom

 

I'm sure I remember seeing the loco from a train whilst crossing the bridge over the river.

 

I first saw it at Fairfield Mabey in 1968. I don't think I've seen it since.

 

That was my first sighting.

 

229 broke cover in steam at the gathering in Darlington this weekend. Haven't seen many pictures of the event.

 

Here’s a picture on Trackside Magazine’s facebook. If you scroll through the comments there’s also a video.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1K1PJ9DSFK/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What a moment, until very recently there’s quite possibly no-one alive’d remember seeing it in steam.

 

Mdae the trip up to Darlington today as the DRPS shed was advertised as open, and I liek industrials. My suprise was to see 229 parked next to 78018, apparently it did move over the weekend but there were tething trubles and it was to be moved over a pit this afernoon for inspection, it's in plain black, unlettered and unlined, and I ddint see any evidence of vacuum fitting. Boony little thing tohugh

 

Looking good in the afternoon sun at Hopetown

 

Lovely to see this restored. I've only clapped eyes on it once, many many years ago at North Woolwich. What strikes me, looking at the photo above, is the size of the cab. Do you need to fire it with a teaspoon?

 

I was amazed at how big the wheels are for a shunter.

 

Quite a nippy little thing shuttling up and down the line next to the 1861 shed yesterday:



Bill Parker was on the footplate and I think I saw his workshop manager there as well (apologies, name escapes me!).

Regards,

Dan