Mystery boiler outside STEAM

There's been a lot of activity at STEAM in Swindon over the last few days. 92220 'Evening Star' left on Sunday, and its place has now been taken by 4003 'Lode Star' and 7821 'Ditcheat Manor'.

There is currently (as I write) a low-loader parked outside the back of the musum with what I'm fairly sure is a 9F boiler. It looks to be in un-restored condition, but what loco is it from, and more to the point - what is it doing at STEAM?

 

It is indeed a 9F Boiler and apparently it is just calling in on its way from Bury to some unknown works! It has now moved round to the front of the museum. I'll upload a photograph later.

 

If it's from Bury would it by any chance belong to 92207 (?) which IIRC is based at the East Lancs?

 

92207 has been based at Shillingstone for a number of years.

 

I should've remembered that - I photographed the loco at Shillingstone a couple of years ago. Interestingly though, Wikipedia has this photo of 92207 taken in October 2010, and the boiler looks almost identical (in terms of condition) to the one outside STEAM. The Bury reference doesn't tally up though so perhaps it isn't 92207's anyway...?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Morning_Star_at_Shillingstone_October_2007.jpg

 

This is an interesting one - I wasn't aware of there being a 9F at Bury these days - has 92219 been sold on the quiet and moved there? That's the only 9F I can think of that is likely to have had its boiler lifted and sent somewhere. 92134 at Crewe would surely have its boiler done there?

 

Here's a photo taken yesterday of the boiler outside STEAM:



On comparison of this photo with that of 92207 (link in previous post), the rust patterns on the s/box are show enough similarity for me to put my money on the boiler definately being that of 92207. Which means it must have come from Shillingstone - and in which case where is it going? Perhaps it's going TO Bury (not FROM) for work at Riley's workshops?

Begs another question why it has been dropped at STEAM? My guess would be that the tractor unit for the lowloader was required for the movement of 4003/7821 for some reason, so the decision was taken to leave the boiler on the lowloader there whilst the unit was engaged on another job. Ofcourse, that could all be totally wrong!

 

Well it's 92207's boiler. Is it going TO Bury?

 

Would make sense if it was going to Bury, does look like it could do with a bit of TLC!

 

Perhaps it is going to become an exhibit at STEAM either to raise the profile and raise funds for 92207's restoration, or just because Swindon need a boiler for a new display.

Regards,

Dan

 

Doubtful. I was told the staff in the STEAM got a bit twitchy when they saw it left out the back of the museum because they weren't expecting it! There's also nowhere really to put it on display in the museum.

 

LOL. As in "ere you can't leave that there mate, wodja think you're doing! More than me job's worth to let you leave that there. Wot is it anyway! Get rid of it or I'll have the cops on you." :argue: ??

 

No they were twitchy because it didnt have a copper cap etc, or did they go into panic mode, "look at the size of it, and what about the rest of it, we dont have room for another 9f "

 

92207's Boiler was lifted on Wednesday 10th November to be Moved to Rileys to be restored

 

What's it going to be restored for? The loco itself or is it a spare for 92214/92203?

 

The loco its self its going to be a couple of years or so

 

Isn't a 9F a bit big for the Shillingstone Project? Reminds me of the 2-10-0 Austerity at the Lavender Line/Isfield pulling a brakevan.

Richard

 

Why though beacause by the time its up and running the line could of expanded or it could go away for hire but its up to them though