There has been plenty happening this last week.
Wednesday morning saw Peckett 0-4-0ST Caliban’s boiler being loaded onto a hi-ab lorry… 
…which swiftly departed to Bradshaw Sheet Metal near Bolton to pick up the smokebox before heading off south to the Williton workshop of West Somerset Restoration which has been contracted to fit a new inner firebox, fit new tubes and conduct a hydraulic test.
Having despatched the boiler it was then time to fill the large skip that had been delivered, with John, Tim and Ed loading two sets of boiler tubes (5643 and Caliban), two sets of superheater elements (5643 and 4979) and 5643’s flue tubes. Needless to say, the work in the hot sun was interspersed by the odd cup of tea!
The hi-ab lorry arrived at Williton late afternoon on Wednesday where the boiler was unloaded and a tank for a GWR 28XX tender (not belonging to the FRT) took its place.
News of the arrival of the boiler at Williton was shared with those attending the Furness Railway Trust’s Annual General Meeting, which took place in the FRT shed at 07.30 on Wednesday evening. After the formal business of the day had been transacted, members were able to partake of the splendid buffet that had been laid on by Alison and explore the shed and see progress on the Trust’s locomotives. They were also able to browse and purchase the large number of second-hand books that have been donated to the FRT in recent times. Our thanks go to Alison for providing the buffet, which was very well received.
The hi-ab lorry set off from Williton before dawn on Thursday to deliver the tank to Tyseley Locomotive Works and then pick up the new superheater elements for GWR 0-6-2T No. 5643 and the second-hand coupling rod that had been purchased for GWR ‘Hall’ class 4-6-0 No. 4979 Wootton Hall. These were delivered to Preston around 2 pm that day, being received by John Dixon.
Friday saw John, Keith and Tim assemble to tidy up the shed, stack the superheater elements and bring in the coupling rod.
This next weekend sees Furness Railway 0-4-0 locomotive No. 20 and Great Eastern Railway royal saloon No. 5 in action at the Ribble Steam Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala on Saturday/ Sunday, 28th/29th September. It is planned that there will be five locomotives in steam. The FRT shed will be open to visitors and there will be a large second-hand book sale in the shed.
Finally, we received this week the latest West Somerset Railway Journal, which features some recognisable ‘old timers’ on the back cover celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Watchet to Minehead Railway.