The boiler of the steam locomotive Hunslet 0-6-0ST No. 1982 Ring Haw has recently been lifted from the locomotive's chassis in readiness for the boiler's overhaul.
Whilst the boiler has been removed, it is planned that Ring Haw's chassis will be sent away for refurbishment to a specialist contractor. The Society is currently awaiting receipt of quotations for the work before agreeing a start date with the successful contractor.
The boiler lift took place at the North Norfolk Railway's site at Weybourne, and was carried out by the society's recently refurbished Grove Allen H404 mobile crane, known as Horace. Dating from around 1971 and with a lifting capacity of up to 40 tons, Horace was acquired by the society in 2013, and has just returned into service after a two-year overhaul, during which all its electrics and hydraulic systems were overhauled, a new set of tyres and batteries were fitted, and it was repainted into a ‘Blood and Custard' livery.
Ring Haw's boiler will enter the North Norfolk Railway's boiler shop in due course for the work to be carried out, and the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society is hoping that it will be ready for return to service on the North Norfolk Railway during 2024.
Ring Haw was built in 1940 by the Hunslet Engine Company. It originally worked at the Nassington Ironstone Quarries near Peterborough for hauling iron ore tipplers out of the quarries. It remained there until 1970 when the quarries closed and moved to the North Norfolk Railway the same year.
The Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway Society purchased the locomotive from the North Norfolk Railway in April 2020 to provide the North Norfolk with funds during a period of difficulty caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Neil Sharpe, the Chairman of the M&GN Society said: “This is an important day, for the Society as it marks two important events in one. Firstly, the next stage of the restoration of Ring Haw and secondly the return to service after refurbishment of our crane Horace”.
That crane is a brilliant asset.Will save thousands in hire charges as well as being instantly to hand and labour saving.