Update on overhaul of steam locomotive 16440 at Midland Railway – Butterley

The Midland Railway – Butterley has provided the latest update on progress with overhauling LMS Fowler 3F 0-6-0T tank engine No. 16440.

Popularly known as a “Jinty”, the North British Locomotive Company built the locomotive in 1926, it was withdrawn from BR service in 1966 as No. 47357.

After trial fitting of the tanks, they have been removed again to allow access to fit the boiler slide shims. These have now been fitted and the tanks refitted. New bolts have been delivered but completion of fitting the tanks depends on the availability of a suitably sized volunteer to venture inside the tanks.

A new bottom for the coal bunker has been fully welded in place, and the bunker lifted back onto the frames and bolted down.

The cab has been fitted, along with the bunker greedy rails and handbrake linkage, and the main steam pipe and elbow faced up and new joints made. The mating faces have been cleaned and are ready for fitting in the smokebox.

16440's original chimney has received some repair work to get further life out of it and has been lifted back into position awaiting final alignment with the blast pipe.

All of the boiler cladding has been fitted and the majority clamped up, with just a few finishing off areas to tackle.

The boiler backhead fittings have all been fitted into place. With the tanks now refitted and the cab in place, the next jobs to tackle are fitting the driver's brake valves and hydrostatic lubricator and attaching and securing the relevant pipework.

The project is awaiting the return of the vacuum ejector from a contractor to allow its final alignment before drilling through the new smokebox platework.

Next in line is fitting the lubrication pots and pipes.

As well as 16440, Midland Railway – Butterley has three other Jinties: No.16410 (ex-BR 47217) is awaiting overhaul, 16528 (ex-BR 47445) is currently being restored, and 16647 (ex-BR 47564) although only its frames remain.