Agecroft No.1 at MoSI

The Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester is pleased to announce that RSH 14" 0.4.0ST "Agecroft No.1" arrived in Manchester on Wednesday 25th February at 5.10pm from its previous home at Long Marston. As stated previouly on NatPres, it will now be subject to a fast track overhaul which should see the loco running ready for the 2010 season at MoSI, sharing duties with Liverpool and Manchester replica 2.2.0 "Planet".

MoSI's thanks to Ainscough Vanguard Ltd. for their help and support in moving this loco back to its original workplace and home of Greater Manchester.

 

A start should be made on "Agecroft No.1" by the end of this week with a boiler lift being imminent. This will then enable stripping of the motion, removal of wheels and sand-blasting of frames. The boiler will be stored on site until early summer when it can be placed in the care of Israel Newtons & Sons for its own overhaul this summer/autumn.

The livery to be painted upon completion has been decided on: The original lined apple green with maroon frames as supplied to the BEA in 1948.

Hopefully more photos to follow as the restoration progresses.

 

Excellent news, and pleased to hear it's going to be in an original livery. I remember having a look at this loco when it was at MoSI previously with a semi serious view to buying it, does it still have the interesting patch below the firehole on the inner box?

 

Where might i ask is the boiler being overhauled?

 

That was No.2, now at Swindon. No.1 has been "elsewhere". But yes indeed, very pleased that a proper local industrial has returned to the area. \/

 

Just to add to the confusion or maybe to clarify- it was No. 3 that used to be at the museum and is now at Swindon. No. 2 is at the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston.

Don't worry- you're not the first to be confused- No.1 has No.3 painted on the buffer beam (because after it left Agecroft it was the owner's third engine) which has made a few people confused further still!

 

Doh! In that case 14EL has it wrong...

 

Just to add to the confusion or maybe to clarify- it was No. 3 that used to be at the museum and is now at Swindon. No. 2 is at the Ribble Steam Railway at Preston.

Don't worry- you're not the first to be confused- No.1 has No.3 painted on the buffer beam (because after it left Agecroft it was the owner's third engine) which has made a few people confused further still![/quote:3vdunr89]

Oops, I knew that too!... Very confusing when there's more than one of the same thing!

 

Dont worry! Even the staff at MoSI have been confused by the numbering, we now have No.1 at MoSI and as mentioned by Anthony, No.3 did used to run at MoSI but is now at Steam Museum, Swindon. No.2 is now awaiting overhaul at Preston as I believe its boiler ticket expired in November last year.

As all three locos are now either "in the queue" or actually undergoing restoration- who knows, we might see all 3 re-united and run together in the not too distant future!

Now wheres my paintbrush so I can remove the "No.3" from the bufferbeam of No.1....!!! :-k

 

When she's done we'd be more than happy to see her at Foxfield for a visit. Seeing as you have had Little Barford from us in the past and the Beyer Peacock is going to visit you this summer it would be only fair \/

 

That would be nice, a slightly longer train of 16 Tonners in tow! We are currently buying x3 16T mineral wagons from the GCR but a longer run on the Foxfield would be good- we shall consider that for the future...!

 

Sounds like quite a collection your begining to amas at MOSI. are there any plans to go back to using the original platform under the traveling crane? giving a slightly longer run? Do you still use the servicing pit down there too?

 

A new platform is under construction there now. At present there is no need to use the pit with Planet as the sole working steam loco, but that too is getting some attention for future use.

 

by future use i take it you mean overnight mainline steam? :-# :-#

 

That too is already a starter! We were very glad to provide overnight stabling in August last year for 70013 and 48151 during the re-run of the 1T57 train. We hope overnight stabling will become a regular event at MoSI in the future- and current improvments being undertaken on the railway are with this in mind...! Next mainline loco booked to visit is 71000 in August for our Transport week and "Great Garratt Gathering" event (further details on seperate topic.) However, we may have visitors in beforehand depending on the needs of railtour operators.

 

Today the boiler from Agecroft No.1 was removed by crane ready for work to begin proper on the loco frames and motion. The boiler will now be stored outside until its departure date in May to go to Israel Newtons and Sons Ltd.

(No photos Im afraid- unless David can oblige!?!)

 

And here come the pictures.......

Boiler is lifted.......





Stored out of the way until it can be taken to Israel Newtons



And the chassis now minus boiler ready for serious work to begin!

 

Cheers Dave! \/

I spent today drowing myself steam cleaning the frames and motion prior to stripping... Progress in a messy way!

 

Could be worse. Could have set fire to yourself.... (again) #-o