Newsletter No.11
Autumn 1983
In this edition click to go further to:
Engineering report or Fundraising
or Demise of N Class 1850
or 541 returns to steam
| Mary Bellingham | Treasurer | 7 West Point, Newick, E.Sussex BN8 4NU. |
| Ray Bellingham | Chairman | As Above. |
| G. Binns | General Member | 242 St. Helens Road, Hastings, Sussex. |
| F.R. Cope | General Member | Feldor, Grassy Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent. |
| M. Frackiewitz | General Member | 55 Rectory Lane, Woodmansterne, Banstead, Surrey SM7 3PE |
| D. Jones | General Member | 22 Manor Road, Hampden Park, Eastbourne, Sussex. |
| P. Nicholson | General Member | Southwood Lane, Cheltenham, Glos. |
| R. Packham | Membership Sec | 132 Church Road, Swanscombe, Kent. |
| S. Pilcher | Newsletter Editor | 52 Thomas More Street, London El. |
| H. Strongitharm | Sales Officer | 2a Calverley Park Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent |
This year has been quite successful for our Society. On the locomotive front, considerable progress has been made with 541, thanks to the efforts of the Bluebell Railway Workshop staff and volunteers. As a result 541 should be returning to steam by the end of the year. Restoration work has started in earnest on 847 and 1618 is being prepared for an overhaul, see the Engineering Report for further details. Even our vans are beginning to look a credit to the Society.
It is our aim to try and produce an illustrated Newsletter twice a year, with News sheets in between as an update. Our next Newsletter will hopefully be published early next year and should include pictures of 541's return to steam. Any articles, letters and photographs of Maunsell engines will gratefully be received by the editor.
The Society, in conjunction with the Bluebell Railway have prepared a booklet on 541's history that will be in a similar format as those already published on Stowe Stepney and the Dukedog. It will be available from the Bluebell railway upon 541's return to steam.
Page 2
Sir Lamiel piloting Black 5 5407 on the 3/4/1983 Cumbrian mountain Pullman. This was its second railtour since restoration.
Photograph: J.Robertson
Sir Lamiel at Hereford on the Welsh Marches Pullman of 16/4/1983.
Photograph: J.Robertson
Page 3
'Q' Class 541
The machining of both coupling rods is now virtually finished and oil pots have been welded on. The painting of the locomotive is also close to completion, with the tender being lettered 'Southern 541' in yellow on the sides and the number 541 being painted in gold leaf on the rear face.
Work outstanding includes the fitting of the connecting rods, some pipework and installation of the cab floor.
It is hoped that a steaming date will be included with this newsletter, in the form of a 'Stop Press' notice.
1618 on 12/2/1972 whilst undergoing restoration at the paper mills at New Hythe.
Photograph: D.Swetman
'U' Class 1618
We are pleased to inform members that the Bluebell Railway Company have decided that 1618 will be the next engine to be overhauled by the Workshop staff when the 'Q' Class is finished.
Page 4
Work has already commenced on stripping the engine for overhaul. The super heater elements have been removed, cab fittings taken down and put into store and the cab floor taken up.
The boiler will be lifted to facilitate a thorough inspection of it and the frames. All the small boiler tubes and the super heater elements will be replaced as a good number of them have never been replaced since purchase from Barry. The axle boxes will be overhauled and the boiler cladding renewed. It is also intended to swap the rear disc wheeled tender axle for a spoked wheelset to match the other two axles.
It is understood that the Bluebell Railway Company are keen for the engine to return to service as soon as possible and since there are no major parts missing the overhaul could be complete within a year.
30847 running light engine through East Croydon to Redhill, having worked a stone train from Woking to New Cross in 1962.
Photograph: J. Jacob.
'S 15' Class 847
Our small volunteer workforce are currently working towards freeing the boiler from the frames to enable the boiler to be lifted at a future date. The outside steam pipes to the cylinders have been removed and stored. Expansion plates on either side of the firebox have been removed and attention is being given to loosening bolts inside the smokebox.
An order will be placed for the forging of a new coupling rod and eccentric rod. When these are finished we will have a complete set of valve gear for the locomotive.
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P.L.V.2186
One side has been finished in olive green top coat and weather permitting the remaining work will be finished by the end of the year.
G.W.R. Tool Van No. 92.
The roof has been completely refelted and its leaking roof lights sealed. Since the external paintwork was getting a little shabby work has started on painting it in GWR brown livery.
1850 as fitted with Marshall valve gear. Photograph: anonymous.
As one the 80 N. Class 2-6-0 locomotives built to R.E.L. Maunsell's design for the S.E. & C.R. No. A850 in fact emerged from the Woolwich Arsenal Works after the Grouping, thus making her a true Southern Railway locomotive.
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| 31850 at the start of being cut at Redhill Motive Power Depot. Photograph: J.Jacob |  |
 |
Half way there of the sad demise of 31850. Photograph: J.Jacob |
| Only the frames and wheels left. Photograph: J.Jacob |  |
Page 7
As a mixed traffic engine that entered service in 1925, little out of the ordinary happened to her, apart from the fitting of smoke deflectors, until in February 1934, when on a visit to Eastleigh depot, she was chosen to try out the experimental and complex Marshall valve gear. However, after several failures, put down to its unsuitability at the varying higher speeds required for passenger working, she was sent to Brighton Works in the April of that year and re-united with the Walschaerts valve gear originally designed for her.
So the Mogul returned to service and apart from surviving the last war, several changes of livery and re-numbering to 31850 after Nationalisation, she continued in her role as an efficient all purpose engine, just as her designer had meant her to be.
In her final years she was based at the Redhill shed and upon withdrawal in January 1964 a decision was made to cut her up 'on shed' instead of being dispatched to Eastleigh for disposal. Since the cutting up process took quite some time, it was decided that it was not economic to cut up any other engines at Redhill.
Although only one N class survived the cutter's torch, that being No. 31874 (which can be seen on the Mid Hants Railway) 31850 has not totally disappeared, for her left hand cab side is in our Society's possession.
M. Frackiewicz.
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It is some time since we last reviewed the remaining Maunsell designed locomotives. There are currently 14 Maunsell locomotives preserved and the remains of a further 2 languishing at Barry. We have listed below their details which are correct as far as we know.
| Lord Nelson Class |
850 Lord Nelson |
4-6-0 |
Based at Carnforth and passed for main line running. It has undergone fairly heavy boiler repairs this Summer, but should be in action again this Winter and in 1984. Livery; Bullied malachite green.
| N l 5 Class |
777 Sir Lamiel |
4-6-0 |
Since its return to steam last year, Sir Lamiel has been active on the main line at the head of a number of Cumbrian Mountain and Welsh Marches Pullmans. It has also been used on the Scarborough Spa Express and visited the Severn Valley Railway this Spring. It is understood that it was on display at the National Railway Museum (NRM) at York this Summer and should be in service again in 1984. No major repairs are envisaged in the near future and its livery is SR olive green.
| S15 Class |
825 |
4-6-0 |
This engines remains are in Barry scrapyard. Its boiler has been purchased and removed for future use with the Urie S 15 group no. 560, which is based at Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway (MHR). 825's tender has also been purchased by the Urie S 15 group for use with their no. 499.
| S15 Class |
828 |
4-6-0 |
Based at Eastleigh works, it is currently stripped down to its basic parts and undergoing a major overhaul with the intention of returning it to main line running condition if possible. It is understood that it may reappear in SR olive green livery.
| S15 Class |
830 |
4-6-0 |
Currently resident in Barry scrapyard, though the Brighton Steam Centre have a reservation on it. It's tender was bought for use with 847.
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| S15 Class |
841 |
4-6-0 |
Based at the North Yorks Moors Railway. Although it has been in action for a number of years, it now requires a major overhaul, including re-tubing. Livery; Bullied Malachite green;
| S15 Class |
847 |
4-6-0 |
Undergoing restoration at the Bluebell Railway.
925 Cheltenham being coaled at Bold Colliery 26/5/1980. It was there in steam for the 150 anniversary of the Rainhill Trials. The engine is now in store at the NRM. Photograph: P. Nicholson.
| V Class |
925 Cheltenham |
4-4-0 |
This engine was restored to working order for the Rainhill Trials 150 Anniversary in 1980. It is not on display at the moment but may well be in the main exhibition hall at the NRM next year. A full internal inspection of the boiler is required before it can be re-certified for main line running. The NRM do not intend to do this work in the near future.
| V Class |
926 Repton |
4-4-0 |
Based at Steamtown, Vermont, USA. A group of British based preservationists entitled 'Southern Repatriation' have been negotiating with its current owners with the aim of returning both 926 and Drummond M7 0-4-4T No. 3053 to this Country. A sum in excess of £100,000 is reputedly been asked for the pair! 926 was supposed to have been in action this year in the States.
| V Class |
928 Stowe |
4-4-0 |
The Bluebell's very own Schools Class loco, it is actually on loan from the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore. Externally it is mainly in its original condition being still fitted with its Maunsell chimney and carrying olive green livery. Unfortunately it has been out of service this Summer with broken springs and wont see much use until next year.
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| N Class |
31874 |
2-6-0 |
| U Class |
31806 |
2-6-0 |
Both engines are based at Ropley on the Mid-Hants Railway. They have been in use for a number of years and were in service this year. livery; BR lined black.
| U Class |
1618 |
2-6-0 |
Our U class is being stripped down prior to a full overhaul.
| U Class |
1625 |
2-6-0 |
Based at the Mid-Hants railway, awaiting restoration. 847's six wheeled tender with which it ran in its final BR days is attached to 1625.
| U Class |
1638 |
2-6-0 |
Based at the Bluebell and awaiting restoration.
| Q Class |
541 |
2-6-0 |
Based at the Bluebell and should be in steam shortly for the first time since being withdrawn from BR.
The Annual General Meeting was held in the Village Hall at Horsted Keynes on June 12th. Topics discussed included restoration progress with the Societies locomotives and other current issues. The Accounts were accepted as presented and all the Committee members were re-elected.
It is with regret that we report the death of two of our members, Mr. M.J.M. Dennington and Mr. J. Aldridge. John Aldridge will be particularly remembered for his active assistance at Sheffield Park. We send our condolences to both families.
Now that work has started on stripping down 847 for its overhaul, contributions are requested for the 847 Restoration Fund. We will place an order for the missing coupling rod forgings and other parts will have to be purchased. 847 will only return to steam if we have financial support from our members.
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All contributions to the 847 Restoration Fund should be sent either to our Treasurer, Mrs. M. Bellingham or to the Secretary, Mr. R. Packham. Their addresses's are given in the list of Directors.
We would like to thank members for their many generous contributions in the past.
Used postage stamps are still required for help with fundraising. Any stamps can be sent to Mr. F. Cope whose address is given in the list of Directors or left with one of the Society's Directors at Sheffield Park. Q Class Chimney Designs
Designed & Printed by: Kingfisher Press. Telephone: Charlbury (0608) 810750.
STOP PRESS - Q CLASS 541's RETURN TO STEAM
The restoration work on 541 is nearly finished and we are pleased to inform members that it is due to make its first public appearance in steam on the Bluebell Railway on Saturday l9th November 1983.
541 will depart from Sheffield Park at 1.40 PM with its first passenger train to Horsted Keynes. In addition to invited guests, seats will be available on an advance booking basis to all members of the public. A ceremony will be held at Horsted Keynes at 2.00 pm and in the evening, 541 will haul another special train for Bluebell Railway Preservation Society and Maunsell Society members and their guests. Tickets for this train will also have to be booked in advance from the Bluebell Railway.
On the following day November 20th, 541 will haul regular passenger trains between Sheffield Park and Horsted Keynes and is expected to be frequently rostered for this years Winter service trains
541 will appear in unlined Southern Railway black livery as depicted on the cover of the enclosed Newsletter.
Any enquiries in respect of the above arrangements should be addressed to:-
Steve Pilcher (The Newsletter Editor)
52 Thomas More Street
London El 9LE
Tel. 01 481 3390 (evenings only)
