It has been another busy week at Preston for working members of the Furness Railway Trust.
Wednesday was tidy up day after the shed had been opened to the public during the Ribble Steam Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala. The unsold second-hand books now fit on the bookshelves in the mess room and so the table is clear of boxes! The opportunity was also taken to clear out some sales items that were long past their shelf life.
The recent better weather has allowed progress outside the shed on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643’s side tanks, bunker and cab roof. Inside the shed, Keith has started to reassemble 5643’s radial truck and, with the new axle pads for the driving wheels received, it should now be possible to lower the frames. Having completed the reaming out of the remaining first batch of stay holes in the firebox the previous Thursday, attention was now turned to completing the riveting work elsewhere on the loco on Friday.
Meanwhile, last Wednesday saw final preparations for the departure of Furness Railway 0-4-0 No. 20, which left Preston by low loader to go to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) for its forthcoming gala appearance after lunch the following day. John Dixon and Sam were at Bury in order to re-fit the guard irons and sand pipes, fill the tender tank and to light a warming fire.
The ELR had asked for an early test run to Ramsbotton to be undertaken to check that FR 20 could cope with the proposed load (two Mark 1 carriages) and to assess the time required to make the journey. So Sam picked up Tim at Horwich Parkway station on Friday morning and the loco was lit up around 08.30. It was certainly the centre of attention in the loco yard as it was cleaned (again!) and prepared for the test run. Andy Booth and Liam Barnes were assigned the duties of driver and fireman, with Sam and Tim also on board to assist with proceedings.
The run had not been advertised and was even a surprise to the signalman at Bury when the engine appeared. However, two Mark 1 coaches were duly collected and moved to platform 4 at Bury Bolton Street station, where tea was duly taken by all concerned. Andy Booth’s Hunslet 0-6-0 tender loco Douglas was also in the station with the five coach dining train, which left at 12.30.
It had been decided to stop at all stations on the way to Ramsbottom to ensure that there would be no problems in re-starting the train on the gradient, and the opportunity was taken to photograph the train in Summerseat station.
Ramsbottom was duly reached in a time of 25 minutes without breaking sweat, so it was time for another cup of tea (what, more tea? Ed.) and a chat with Responsible Officer for the day, Richard Law. Once the dining train had passed through Ramsbottom on its way back towards Bury, it was time to complete the return trip, this time non-stop. It was decided on return that there was no need for a second test run and so the carriages were deposited back into the siding and FR 20 returned to the shed. All in all, a very satisfactory day.
Finally, a date for your diary. Phil Probert informs us that there will be a talk on the new build LNER G5 locomotive at Ghyll View Farm, Gill Lane, Longton, Preston PR4 4ST at 07.30 pm on Thursday, 10th October. All welcome.
We leave you this week with another reminder of the forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala at the East Lancashire Railway this next weekend: