Industrial Loco Updates

RSH 7673 Ugly made its public debut at the Spa Valley Railway's Branch Line Gala last weekend after a succesful boiler test last Friday. Ugly acted as yard pilot over the weekend and was kept busy both days.

As is usual the first weekends work has thrown up a number things that will need attention but overall it was a succesful and deeply satisfying first steaming on the railway.

 

What a super looking job but cant the railway give a better name than that?

 

YEC 2521 is beng prepared for lifting off of its wheelsets in the next 2/3 weeks. Progress over the last few weeks has icluded dismantling of the brake gear including pull rods, cross shafts and hangers, removal of associated oilways and starting to fabricate 2 loco stands out of heavy duty girder for the loco to sit on once the wheels have been removed for which we must pay a debt of gratitude to the Deltic Preservation Society for donating to us.

 

Thinking just the same. Looks wonderful and congrats to all involved but why the name? If it has to be named why not something more appropriate such as Corby? Anyhow would look rather nice nameless at Foxfield at some point!

 

Stored next to the 4F last time I was down there earlier this year.

 

'Ugly' was the name given to the engine in the early years of its preservation life; at least when it was at Isfield. It carried this name when she hauled the Royal Train with the HRH The Queen on board and even she was heard to comment on the loco's unfortunate name. I hope she keeps the name. It is unfortunate, but already the kids were identifying with 'Ugly' last weekend after just two days and loving her distinctive chime whistle.

There is already one named 'Corby' at Great Central (Nottingham) which was named during its time at the KWVR.

The loco is due to receive some lining and lettering to represent the Stewarts and Lloyds livery the engines once carried.

I'm sure the owner can be convinced to bring her to Foxfield at some point. His arm wouldn't take much twisting believe me!!!! Be good to get a couple of them together!!

Matt

 

Engines of this particular design have been known generically as "uglies" for at least forty years. I suppose it was because they were big and modern compared with the MW/Kitson designs they worked alongside at Corby.

Tim

 

Tim,

The nickname is due to the shortened saddle tanks that didnt reach the cab, and the raised haystack fireboxes, which gave the locos an "ugly" appearance when compared to the Austerities!

Just a note that they are more powerful than the Austerities too!!

Matt

 

Which engine will be in steam this weekend?

Regards

 

The Jinty. Ugly might be in steam on test but this depends on whether the work and repairs are completed in time.

Matt

 

They weren't known as 'uglies' in S & L days. The name was coined on the Worth Valley when three of them were acquired from S&L for Worth Valley line services. Despite the fact that these locos didn't survive long at Haworth before moving on, the name seems to have followed them around wherever they have gone.

 

RSH 7609 'Meteor' - Following my previous post on 22 Sept we have now received most of the remaining fittings and motion from AVR. Most of these parts were preserved with oil/grease/goo which has now been largely removed to enable an assessment of what refurbisment they will require. Previous attempts to split the crossheads from the piston rods failed due to our splitting tool showering the workshop with oil rather than putting it to some useful function. A member set to and after the fitting of new pipe between hydraulic pump and cylinder and new piston seal the crossheads were easilly split yesterday. We intend to concentrate on getting the frames rewheeled as out first task. I will update future progress as and when.

 

This loco (Fowler 0-4-0DM 4210132, a.k.a. "May") is now being worked on by the Sygnets (youth group) at Swanage. Initial plans remain at a cosmetic restoration (until we can relocate the original or a replacement clutch there's little point doing anything else) and this is now in progress. For info on progress see www.may-restoration.co.uk

Derek TP

 

It was indeed - some of the Worth valley crews were NOT impressed with these locos, regarding them as inferior to "main liners" and also not as good as their Austerity "FRED". Even today, many years after their removal from KWVR, they appear to be unloved machines!

 

We have both 56 and 63 at the Great Central Railway at Ruddington. They are well liked at Rud, and are powerfull free steaming locos with impressinve haulage capability having proved to be quite at home with a trailing load of over 250 tonnes and still making steam against the injectors on the climb from Loughbrough Junction to Barnstone tunnel. The main difference between the 56 Class as they were known by S&L after the prototype, and main line type or the Austerity type is the compensated suspension which makes them a rather livley ride.

 

Yes, they ARE impressive machines in a number of ways. What I actually meant was that they are STILL unloved at KWVR, with few folks there having a good word to say about them.

 

That is a shame as unfortunatley history does get re written retospectivley. I have a copy of the Autumn 1978 Push and Pull and there is an article in the issue by Bob Cryer entitled "3 Days on Sampson", he doesnt hide the locos faults saying "warm, swaying and uncomfortable it might have been, but the ease of operation, its steady steaming and its powerful response made up for all of the discomfort and provided three memorable days....". With main line quality track at the GCRN, the ride is not too uncomfortable and we have given some thought to damping of the coil sprung trailing axle, which is the cause of the lively ride. Maybe the next generation of use with 62 at Spa Valley and the two at Ruddington can redress the views of previous operators.

 

"Coil sprung trailing axle?" Sounds like a Pannier...and boy, are they lively!!

 

From the SVR main website:
(2047) Warwickshire, the 0-6-0 locomotive owned by the Warwickshire Industrial Locomotive Trust is on its way from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth this week for assessment prior to overhaul.

The Warwickshire Industrial Locomotive Trust are to fund its overhaul and, hopefully, the Severn Valley Railway workshops at Bridgnorth will quote for construction of a new boiler.

Warwickshire will require a full overhaul of its mechanical parts before return to steam which will probably be undertaken away from the SVR.

 

This is very good news! Will be good to see the very last MW loco running. Is the boiler likely to welded or rivetted?