A lot of work has been undertaken on the new build Standard 2MT No. 84030 at Sheffield Park on the Bluebell Railway over the course of Summer and Autumn 2025.

The splashers for both the fireman’s and driver’s side of the loco have been made and are ready for installation.

The driver’s side splasher is made up of nine sections and has to be fitted around the pedestal for the reverser.

The locomotive’s bunker is now complete, along with the installation of all steps up to the running plate, cab sides, and bunker. Work is also progressing on the supports for the cab floor.

Work on the balance pipe between the two water tanks of the locomotive has also been progressing rather well.

The group decided to make a 4-inch steel diameter balance pipe, instead of the original design, which featured a 3-inch copper pipe as shown in the original drawings.

There are four sections to the balance pipe, and each piece has been made and bent according to the drawings.

A flange drawing for the profiling of the pipes is in progress, and once complete, the four sections can be cut and fitted together. Before they can be fitted, both tanks will need to receive studs within them to allow the flange ends of the balance pipe to join up to the tanks.

The water valve bracket for the injectors has been made and was trial-fitted before being removed for painting.

The side panels of the cab have also been revived with a trial fit, and are currently being profiled and painted before they can be refitted to the locomotive.

Looking forward, once the balance pipe has been fitted, the cab floor can be finished. Once that is complete, the cab sides can be added.