News Update - December 2015

The chimney and boiler barrels in the foreground, with the cab roof to the left of the picture. Photo: Tony Massau.

Two swing links for the rear pony truck suspension arrangement. Photo: Tony Massau.

82045 in 2015

Chris Proudfoot

Well, here we are again at the end of another year in the life of the 82045 project. With just a few days to go to the Solstice, it seems a good time to bring you up to date with progress over the past twelve months.

As usual, I have had a look back at the notes I wrote a year ago, and again I'm happy to say that they did not contain too many false predictions. The year started with the arrival at Bridgnorth of the cylinders from Teesside Components. These were successfully hydraulically tested by our working gang, though one cylinder did have to go back briefly to the North East for a minor problem to be rectified. That apart, the job was a good one, and both cylinders were soon in situ on the frames. The cylinders were quickly followed by the arrival from Boston Lodge of the bunker, which immediately attracted the attention of the enthusiast public. Painters Andy Williams and Gary Townley had done a superb job, though neither of them was entirely satisfied with it. It looked pretty good to me - and to everyone else - but I suppose a pair of perfectionists and craftsmen are inevitably going to be hard to please!

Both cylinders and bunker were on public display for the Spring Gala, and it was noticeable that miscellaneous donations over the weekend were hugely up on previous years, a trend which was continued, indeed exceeded, in September, when our total revenue over the Gala weekend was more than £7,000. That leads me on to the subject of finances, and in particular of the Boiler Appeal. This had cleared well over £200,000 by the late autumn, and though the first inroads have started to be made into the account, I’m glad to say that it remains in a healthy state. As I think I wrote once, I had never understood the meaning of the old saying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts until I became involved in 82045. I certainly do now: the collective energy, generosity and goodwill on the part of so many people has built up into a great groundswell of support such that we could never have anticipated in the early days, and this is what is carrying the 82045 Project towards a successful conclusion. Thank you all - 82045 would be nowhere without you!

Tony reports elsewhere on engineering matters, so I’d just like to sum up the position as 2015 draws to a close:

• The cab is virtually complete and should be fitted early in the New Year
• The Ffestiniog Railway have been awarded the contract to fabricate the side tanks
• The smokebox assembly is virtually complete and the chimney has been cast
• The coupled wheelsets are complete and still in store (at our request) at the South Devon Railway
• Work is nearing completion on the coupled axle boxes, and as soon as they are ready to receive the wheels, these will be fitted. We hope to complete the wheeling job before midweek running starts in the Spring, as it will involve a line possession for the best part of a day
• The two sections of the boiler barrel are on site at Bridgnorth and are expected to go into the boiler shop for assembly in the near future
• The firebox components plus the two tubeplates are being fabricated by the South Devon Railway, who will also look after the procurement of copper. The intention is for the boiler/firebox to undergo final assembly at Bridgnorth
• Work is proceeding on the front and rear pony assemblies
• The ashpan has been fabricated and is ready to be fitted when the time is right.

So, as you will see, there’s a lot going on, and prospects for 2016 look exciting. Fingers crossed all round that as much as possible goes to plan: if it does, we should be looking at an impressive piece of kit by this time next year!

Before I wrap up, there’s just one small personal note I’d like to add. A recent issue of one of the hobby magazines contained an article which appeared to conflate the 82045 project with the embryonic scheme to build a new Fowler Class 4P 2-6-4 tank, the common link being myself. I would like to state that this did not come from me; that it was probably down to a journalist rushing to meet his deadline and getting his wires crossed; and that there is absolutely no connection between the two projects, with or without me. God willing, I shall continue to be involved with 82045 until I'm in my dotage (or in my box, whichever is the sooner), certainly long after your engine enters service - the job won't end there!

adeste fideles et semper floreatis!

Very best wishes to you all for Christmas and the New Year.