Bluebell Railway-based locomotive, Fenchurch, is on the final straight of its overhaul, and number of people have asked what plans are in place after the overhaul is completed.
Paul Russell, Bluebell Railway's Locomotive Director, has released an update on plans as to what is next in the works.
Once Fenchurch is complete, the short to mid-term plan is that focus can turn to finishing SR Battle of Britain Class Pacific No. 34059 Sir Archibald Sinclair.
Paul says that there is around two months work left on the boiler, but before attention turns to 34059, the Bluebell team want to bring H Class No. 263 into the works for a couple of weeks to get the boiler out of the frames to allow for an assessment to take place and parts ordered.
With the assessment ordered, it will mean that the work on the H Class' boiler can start when 34059's boiler is complete.
Whilst the overhaul of Southern Railway West Country Class No.21C123 “Blackmoor Vale” is not expected to start until the overhaul of BR 9F No. 92240 is complete, a brand new firebox is now waiting at the South Devon Railway for fitting.
To get the ball rolling, it is planned for No.21C123 “Blackmoor Vale” to come into the works during Spring 2023 so that the boiler can be removed and sent away for work to start.
The cladding will be replaced and loco put back into the yard.
Once 34059 is complete and 21C123's boiler is away, a decision can then be made on how to utilise the workshop to allow for the overhaul of 263 and 928 ‘Stowe' as well as the completion of the Atlantic class.
What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments below.
Great to hear the good news.
Sounds like a good plan, as is said nowadays!
What a fantastic magnificent job you all do, of course there are always a lot of plates spinning and really just keep up the most excellent work you do. In locomotive restoration and running the line, looking forward to the next hurdle of branching out to Ardingly.