Lord Granby

Does anyone know of the whereabouts of 3 ft. gauge Hudswell Clarke 633 (1902) - Lord Granby - ex Eastwell?

I believe that it belongs(ed) to the NG Rwy Mus and may have been at Armley Mills (Leeds City Mus) but neither website of these organisations have any mention of it. I would be grateful for any update.

It seems a great shame that nobody appears to be particularly interested in our 3 ft and thereabout relics apart from Irchester, with Handyman still in limbo at York and Scaldwell at Amberley; not to mention the two Fletcher Jennings already discussed on an earlier thread.

Ian

 

Hi Dumphrey,

Lord Granby is still at Armley Mills, amongst all of the other "stored reserve exhibits". A great shame indeed, as it is deteriorating rapidly. If I remember correctly, the loco was preserved initially by The Narrow Gauge Railway Society, way back in the early 60's, I am uncertain as to it's ownership now.

You are right about the lack of interest in 3'-0" gauge stock - unless you go to Ireland of course. "Handyman" will at least be restored - as a static exhibit - by the NRM. "Scaldwell" is at least in safe hands, albeit as a static. Don't forget the Kettering Furnaces Manning Wardle, which is a good way into being restored to steamable condition; but I don't know where ( if ) it will run.

There are a couple of other 3'-0" gauge locos lurking in various places, but don't forget that the Fletcher Jennings engines are of a wider gauge.

A little bit of commitment could get "Lord Granby" on the road to restoration, just takes a bit of planning......


Cheers

Alan

 

I might get shot for this, but how about taking someof the 3FT gauge locos to Ireland and use them over there?

 

BANG***!!!

 

*ducks*

 

I think there is a case for a 3ft line somewhere around here...

 

But is there the economic case for such a line, wen were being told were approaching saturation point for steam railways, besides who would fund it?

 

Thanks Alan. I thought it was probably still there. Apart from providing storage, Armley Mills don't seem to be too interested in locos. Barber never had anything done and is now at Alston waiting for money!! It should be someone's priority; its the only Thomas Green loco surviving outside Australia as far as I know and those down under don't appear to be of high profile.
The ex Dorking Greystone locos, 38.25 inch gauge, have been hoarded jealously for 40+ years but have also suffered. I understand that William Finlay is being cosmetically done over for display - at Beamish?
The ex British Aluminium Barclay 840 at Bo'ness is gradually coming back to life and, subject to decisions yet to be taken, may go to Ireland!
Taking Paul's point and joking aside, I think that the Irish scene has its own problems with the staus quo. Not the least of which is finance. I think that the recent developments are great and it certainly a relief to see the Donegal locos secured and their sights might well be set back across the Atlantic with the former Irish stock that is still residing there. Most of which appears to be below the horizon but..... money again!
I fear that apart from the metre gauge Pecketts at Irchester not a lot is happening "around 3 feet"; unless you know something different!

Ian

 

http://simonguppy556.fotopic.net/p58543534.html

Above shows Lord Granby last year, apparently and rather alarmingly stored in the "scrap area".

Has anyone ever tracked down a photo showing the current condition of "Kettering Furnaces No. 8" - seem to remember a couple of previous postings concerning this loco.

Peter Hayward

 

For 3' you could always look to Southwold, they have their replica loco under construction with some funding in place. The idea of another 3' loco might well be the impetus the project needs.

 

Simon Guppy's photo does indeed send the cold shivers down the back. Looks as if a storage offer would be welcome if only to stop it becoming a pile of red dust or recycled as food cans. Anyone stepping forward?

Any info on Kettering Furnaces No 8 would be very welcome. I assume that it is still in the stewardship of The Welland Valley Vintage Traction Club. They seem to have a rather low profile and no web site so unless someone is or knows a member, it is difficult to see from where any info would be forthcoming. A casual visit to their location in Market Harborough might bring forth some enlightenment. Unfortunately its not in my neck of the woods. Again - anyone stepping forward?

I don't think that the Southwold suggestion would be very favourably looked upon bearing in mind the problems the have had to overcome to get where they are. The local population do not seem to be very railway oriented and a large pile of rust might just spoil what they have managed to achieve to date.

More suggestions please!!

Ian

 

If the Southwold project takes off, and they are able to lay a reasonable length of 3' track, then hopefully it might be possible for some of the locos mentioned in this thread to be restored to run there. Obviously not the Fletcher Jennings ones, but perhaps the others.

Richard

 

Granby sadly has large quantities of Heritage Insulation present, which is a major issue to anyone even trying to move her from her current location. She would need to be stripped or sealed to allow transport to take place.

As for the Welland loco, I know a few of the guys there and it is being done slowly but to a very high standard. There are occasional open days at the yard, I think there may be one in June/July time.

Try Welland Valley Vintage Traction Club
Contact Mr. Tony Coleman (Secretary)
2, Braybrooke Road
MARKET HARBOROUGH
LE16 8AD
Tel.: 01858 463984
Email: tony@colemantony.wanadoo.co.uk

Cheers
Anthony

 

Thanks Anthony. Don't care how long they take with KF 8 as long as it is being cared for. After all there's nowhere this side of the Irish Sea to run her at the moment.
I have tried to talk to the appropriate person at Armley Mills but he is off until next week. If I remember I'll have another go and see what they might have planned for it.

Ian

 

I understand that asbestos is also the problem with Scaldwell at Amberley; as long as it is left alone, the authorities are OK but any sort of remedial work would require cocooning.

Nice to see that Handyman at least has a secure future under cover - presumably on display at York with the Scaldwell wagon from Welland Valley?

Peter Hayward

 

That's correct Peter and this last week we have also collected the second Scaldwell wagon from Amberley, which is good news.

 

Thanks Anthony - good news indeed.

Talk of ironstone narrow gauge is having a calming influence, as I have just returned to work (ish) from seeing Tornado at Norwich - what a magnificent beast!

Will hopefully be back on track this weekend with a visit to Irchester for the metre gauge Peckett.

Peter Hayward

 

Did anyone ever find our the whereabouts/ condition of Kettering Furnaces number 8? An update would be very welcome

 

It's still in progress at Welland Valley as noted above

 

Great news - thanks, Anthony.