PRESS RELEASE – FEBRUARY 17 2015
The overhaul of 45596 “BAHAMAS” continues generally according to plan at Tyseley Locomotive Works. The wheels which had new tyres fitted last year at the South Devon Railway have returned and profiling of the driving wheels began at TLW on 27 January, the bogie wheels already having been completed. Final assembly of the bogie will be possible once the springs have been refurbished.
The mainframe repairs are complete and the hornblocks grinded true as some were not square. Boring of the valve chests is complete and new valve heads manufactured. Valve spindles have been straightened and machined true. The driving axleboxes have been machined to accept the new bronze liners and the slidebars are being measured and assessed.
A new boiler front barrel ring is needed and is awaited; the second is acceptable. The new front tubeplate has been welded, NDT checked, annealed and flattened. The new wrapper plates have been pilot drilled and await fitting. The former blocks for the new door and throatplates are available and flanging is expected to start shortly.Some of the crown stays need replacement as some have found to be badly necked.
Work also continues at Ingrow where the new tender tank arrived on 14 December. The tender chassis is being cleaned and painted and the axleboxes are being assessed. Progress is being made on the refurbishmentof the boiler steam fittings and the annealing/cleaning of copper pipework.
Also at Ingrow work on the internal refurbishment of the “LEARNING COACH” continues and preparations are well advanced on the development of a new educational programme which will be available to local schools and other groups with support from our partners, the Vintage Carriages Trust and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, the latter having modified its timetable to cater for schools wishing to participate in the STEM-related learning offer (details: Deborah Cross: 07825 632 123).
A new series of FAMILY DAYS at Ingrow will be held throughout 2015 with the first one, a Model Railway Festival on 15 February, proving to be very successful. Others will feature National Science Week, the Railway Children, Paddington Bear, ‘Beside the Seaside’ and Ghost Stories. Details from the VCT/BLS and KWVR websites.
From April the BLS Workshop and Museum will be open daily and a paid Duty Officer is being recruited (application details:
The LNWR ‘COAL TANK’ 1054will be participating in the SVR’s March Gala and will be returning to South Wales in September to take part in the Pontypool & Bleanavon Railway’s Gala. After taking part in the October Open Day at Tyseley it will be on display at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition at the NEC in November joined, it is hoped, by 45596’s cab.
For further information please contact:John Hillier, BLS Marketing & Press Officer,
01572 747706 / 0771 200 3105.