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The "Yaxhan" Joffre, No. 3010

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by Meiriongwril, Jun 17, 2012.

  1. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    The Joffre website (West Lancashire Locomotive Trust - The Remaining Locos) notes that works no. 3010 Kerr Stuart Joffre is owned by a Mr Mayes in Yaxham, Norfolk (the Yaxham Light Railway).

    I recall some years ago there were attempts to contact Mr Mayes that were reported on this forum - to no avail; and that there were reports that the remains were not looking too good. The YLR website does not include 3010 on its list of locos.

    Has anyone any news as to whether there has been any progress with this loco?

    I have emailed the YLR to ask about its current whereabouts, and to find out if he is now interested in selling to a restoration group if it is still there.
    If he is - maybe an owners group could be put together via this forum??
     
  2. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    This from YLR:
    "The locomotive you refer to is not part of our collection and is owned by Mr M W Mayes, Station Yard Yaxham Dereham Noroflk NR19 1QB."

    Anyone live nearby who could pop round and take a look?
     
  3. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    West Lancashire Locomotive Trust - Other Loco Progress

    I went there nearly 5 years ago and had a wander round (before being chucked out - if it was private land why not put a sign up or shut the gate?!) and the whole loco was engulfed in brambles. I only found out last year what the loco was, it was that well hidden.
     
  4. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Hopefully this attachment thingy will work.

    This was nearly five years ago, so who knows what it looks like now.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. 5944

    5944 Resident of Nat Pres

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    NorfolkSteamLoco.co.uk - links page

    Fourth photo up from the bottom shows the Joffre on the left hand side. It's just visible in the undergrowth in the second photo down. Don't know when they were taken though.
     
  6. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    Anyone any idea what a reasonable price for such a loco would be?
     
  7. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    I think that partly depends on how much of the loco is actually restore-able. The L&B had to replace almost every component of Axe, to the extent that the latest issue of The Railway Magazine lists her in a table of locos built in Britain since 1960! Given that 3010 has been kept in the open almost continuously since the late 1940s, including a long period in the very wet climate of North Wales, I expect that she, too, will be in a very poor condition. If the majority of the engine is only fit for scrap, as was the case with Axe, then in theory she would be worth little more than scrap value. Of course, if you or anyone else are willing to pay more for her, then she is worth more.
     
  8. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    Hi all,

    I have had similar thoughts myself about this loco, as it would be good to see two Joffres working side by side possible on the L&BR.

    Colin
     
  9. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    Anyone volunteer to write to Mr Mayes?
     
  10. rb004

    rb004 New Member

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    I would echo MuzTrem's thoughts on the condition of these locos before restoration and the amount of replacement material required. I went to France with Peter Nicholson and Rich Morris in 1973 to see them and remember being completely discouraged by their condition. Great kudos is due to those that have taken the time and expense to restore them to working order from the appalling condition they were in. I would think that after another forty years in the open there is a possibility that the Yaxham loco is little more than a pattern to make a new one from.
     
  11. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    Well, if only the frame, wheels, and rods were salvageable, that would be a start!
    I can't remember how much of Axe was left in the rebuild, though!
     
  12. lynbarn

    lynbarn Well-Known Member

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    As I recall the frames, rods, wheel sets and bearings where available for AXE, but not all of them where used, I know the frames where replaced, but as I understand it they where repairable, but the cost and a guarantee of new frames v repairable ones was a decision that had to be made in the light of not having a facility at the time that could have been doing them up.

    If we can get this one, then we have more time on our hands to repair these frames. I know that traditionally it is the frames which is the locomotive, but in the case of the Quarry Tanks everything has been swapped about that it is sometimes difficult to establish which locomotives is which.

    Also Axe is not different with her new frames, I understand that some of Darjeeling locos are in the same boat with having new frames since they where built.

    I know she is a good steamer but the one point I wished they had keep and that was the original Joffre cab shape.
     
  13. SteveA

    SteveA Member

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    Mr Mayes is a businessman engaged in Traction and Rail locomotive restoration. His details from 192com are :Mervyn Mayes . Phone number: 01362 693 509. Station Cottage, Station Road, Yaxham, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1RD. Mechanical Engineer.

    This picture was taken with his permission back in Feb. 2002.

    IM001220 (Lo-Res).jpg

    SteveA
     
  14. kscanes

    kscanes Resident of Nat Pres

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    One has to hope he is more productive with traction engines than he is with rail locomotives. AFAIK, no steam railway locomotive has ever left his works ....
     
  15. thegrimeater

    thegrimeater Member

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    Wissington....
     
  16. kscanes

    kscanes Resident of Nat Pres

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  17. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    The question we hope to get an answer to soon is whether Mr Mayes will let anything else go and, if so, what he might expect to get in return.
     
  18. 8-10 Brass Cleaner

    8-10 Brass Cleaner Member

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    Mr Mayes is certainly very busy, and productive in terms of traction engine work.

    I can also think of one brand new boiler that he had constructed. That one had a Garrett patent corrugated firebox crown.
     
  19. Meiriongwril

    Meiriongwril Member

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    But not, it seems, in terms of railway locomotives ...

    Anyone tried to contact him about the Joffre, and if so, any reply?
     
  20. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Have you tried writing to him yourself? You might need to form an owners group if you want to mount a serious effort buy/restore the loco for use on multiple heritage lines.


    Keith
     

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