4253 Restoration

dont you lot have @4253.co.uk mail accounts :shocked:

 

It is also posssible to email the project on: contact @ 4253.co.uk

 

If anyone's really stuck I can readily do a basic pdf version. PM me.

 

Anyone interested in some genuine ex GWR rivets and an bent up front buffer beam ? offers to pedro please,
today saw another part finally come off the front buffer beam was de rivetted and removed, actually once the last vivet came out it fell off and more sundry parts are now red leadded up, labeled and put away , the front drag box also has been partially removed and needs less work than first thought, all in all a very enjoyable day, if anyone else out there is thinking about it, join us, we dont bite, well not if you have bickies if we keep up the momentum we should see a lot of work done this next year, it certainly was a better day than i had thursday , try jacking wheelsets out of an commonwealth bogie when they are stuck in the hornguides , fun!!! NOT

 

"Anyone interested in some genuine ex GWR rivets and an bent up front buffer beam ?originally posted by Martin Butler "

J39 Group?

 

This project has really got off to a tremendous start, although I am aware (as are those on the restoration team) that there is still a long way to go before we can enjoy 4253 blasting up the 1 in 50-ish of Tenterden Bank. It is great to read that a loco which had pretty well vanished from most enthusiasts' radar for many years suddenly receive the opportunity for a whole new lease of life ahead of it. I guess that plenty of others shared my cynicism that the "Blaenavon Five" rather like the "Barry Ten" were just going to rust away and end up at best as sources of spares. I am delighted to have been proved wrong. Is there any likelihood that during the May KESR gala, there will be a chance for visitors to see the progress so far? With 4247 being the guest engine, this would be an obvious opportunity to plug the 4253 project and raise some further funds.

 

There will be plenty of opportunity to visit progress on 4253 at KESR Gala. The 4253 Group have a few other surprises planned . All will be revealed nearer the time !

 

Please don't reveal all, Pedro. A number of us are still in therapy after the last time....

 

Sounds interesting. Regrettably, I now no longer live 45 minutes' drive from Rolvenden, but I'm certainly thinking about a visit over the KESR gala weekend.

 

You can see from the website Rebuilding 4253. that you can contact the project on contact@4253.co.uk !

 

Plenty has been done to 4253, all the metal work has gone back in at the front of the loco, new buffer beam plate, gussets etc. re-metalled. The frames have been needle-gunned and painted in red oxide to prevent further rusting. Once the work on the frames has been completed, attention will turn to the wheel sets and construction of the new bunker, which has already been started. Some of our members have built a concrete pad covered by tarpaulin (so we can work in the wet). We hold working parties on Tuesday & Sundays.

 

Good to hear that progress is continuing. Just one comment (not intended to be a criticism) - your website was updated regularly until January of this year, but nothing has been posted since then. I would have loved to pay you a visit, but the weather over the Gala weekend was not conducive to a 200-mile drive each way. Hopefully next year.

 

Just read the lads at Rolvenden have taken on another GWR loco 0-6-2-T 5668, if this is true ,does it mean that Rolvenden becomes a sub-shed of Gods Wonderful Railway.

 

common sense in Kent

 

There's also 7760 at Tyseley looking or a good home!

 

Well John, if you'd like to buy 7760, then just drop her off with us, I'm sure we could see our way clear to accepting it....

 

Can I ask where you read that, Collet? Speaking as a shareholder, I'd be interested to know.

 

Information fireline was in the latest edition of the Heritage Railway magazine page 7. They would'nt tell fib's to us would they.

 

Erm..................

 

I'd love to - if only I had the money! Mind you, assuming the 5668 story is true, add 7760 to the equation and that would mean that there would be as many GWR/BR(W) engines as Southern engines on the K&ESR - you couldn't possibly allow that!