General Steam Navigation 35011

[Tony House]

Hi

I am sitting reading the latest The Packet G S N restoration society magazine, It appears that G S N has now got a new covered home where she will be stripped bare to the frames and slowly rebuilt back to her original air smoothed appearance including the chain drive system though some of the more modern labour saving elements will be kept like the rocking fire grate.

The new home in on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Interesting times ahead i think.

[Walkingthedog]

Blimey the way things are going we’ll be able to have one each.

[bulleidboy]

I'm not sure I have room for the real thing!

[Steve M]

I'm not sure I have room for the real thing!

At the very least you’d have to rehang the railway room door............again.

[Walkingthedog]

And dig an ash pit on the landing.

[Postman Prat]

I don't want one (and that's without asking SWMBO)

Even with all the resources of Eastleigh works behind them BR found the original locos too much of a problem. Can only see major difficulties for the preservation movement with this one.

[Postman Prat]

And dig an ash pit on the landing.

It'll make one hell of a mess on the carpet!!

[Tony House]

HI PP

Years ago I would have agreed with you however the preservation world has had a great deal of experience with the number of air smoothed light pacific locos that have been restored. A fair amount of missing bits have been brought, made from scratch or been given on long term loan for use on the locomotive. Use of cad and water cutting are greatly reducing the cost of buying new parts

Several of the team were part of the original Wadebridge restoration team and they are confident it can be done

[Postman Prat]

Hi Tony

I hope that my reservations are no more than that and that this will get going soon.

I'm aware of a lot of the miracles carried out by the preservation movement, such as 'Duke of Gloucester will never run again - needs new cylinders,' and such like. Nonetheless having to Unrebuild a Bulleid is something never tried up till now.

Hopefully I'll not be sitting on my cloud when she has her first run!!!

[Tony House]

Hi PP

when you think abut it the part changes are less than 20%. The main frame pony and bogie the wheels are the same as a rebuild and a built. The centre crank axle is different. When G S N was decommissioned her centre crank was removed and had just a plain one in its place so a new crank would have been needed in any case. The team have already raised the funds and a new centre crank is being made that supports the chain drive system.

The boiler, firebox are the same the smoke box is different a new door and surround will be needed. The hard part is getting all the little bit made from scratch like the klinger valves which have been made from solid billets of stainless steel and brass, as they are not a off the shelf item

It will be done but what time frame is difficult to say 7 to 10 years best guess, deciding factors once in new home Finance for getting bits made etc, how many folk want to get their hands oily. Then its the general condition of the loco are there any hidden surprises, like with Can Pac's boiler