January 2nd, 2010
La Meuse ‘Type 6’ 0-4-0T
Works No 3355 of 1929
2’6” (762mm) gauge
In full working order with new 10 year boiler Certificate (to June 2019)
This locomotive has undergone a thorough overhaul and is currently located on a private site in Central England, where it may be inspected in steam and test driven.
History:
Then loco was delivered new to SA Hoboken in Antwerp, Belgium where it worked on the company’s internal rail system moving steel and other metallurgical products and waste around the site.
At some stage in the locomotive’s life it was heavily rebuilt using parts from its sister loco No 3243 of 1926. This included the frames and significant parts of the motion. The boiler carries a plate identifying it as from No 3355. The original works plates from 3355 survive (see photo, left). A replica set of plates for no 3243 have been made allowing the loco to run with either identity (or both!)
The locomotive was bought by a dealer in Belgium and was briefly stored at the Maldagem Museum. In the late 1980s the loco was bought and moved to a private site in England. After an overhaul she briefly ran in 1993 at the Welshpol and Llanfair light Railway (photo, right)
Subsequently the loco was sold again for use at a proposed new narrow gauge railway in Pembrokeshire, unfortunately this project did not develop as planned.
Between 2004 and 2006 the loco was dismantled and the boiler was overhauled at Bennett’s Boilers (Highbridge) and WSRA (Williton) and in May 2006 the loco, in component form was moved to the works of the Hunslet Engine Co. at Tamworth. In May 2009 the loco was tested and successfully passed the final Boiler Inspection and was granted a new 10 year Boiler certificate in accordance with the EU Pressure Equipment Directive.
Due to circumstances mentioned earlier the loco does not have a public home railway to operate at on a regular basis. In running to date she has been shown to be an exceptionally strong and free-steaming locomotive which is not a surprising with a good boiler design (short with a wide barrel and Belpaire firebox) and large cylinders. The driver’s controls are well laid out lending themselves to easy one man-operation if required. A steam brake is fitted and the loco is through piped for twin-line air with a driver’s control valve. In addition provision has been made for the fitting of an air pump (pump available if required).
For more information including Prices, please email: chris.phillimore@tir-ltd,co.uk. a short video of the loco in action is available here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5lXF0y78Co and photos ar on the gallery pages
Posted in La Meuse 3243 | 3 Comments »
September 20th, 2009
After the somewhat disappointing and very wet experience of the previous Open day in June, this one was approached with a little trepidation. We knew that the loco was in good fettle as she had performed faultlessly at the Chirk Open Day, but what would the weather Gods decree?
Once again the Friday was beautiful, the landscape had mellowed with the onset of Autumn and the ammount of berries in the hedgrows may be a sign of a hard winter to come if country lore is to be believed. As at the previous Open Day, I put her in steam on Friday morning and after attending to a variety of minor jobs, including dismantling and flushing through the injectors, Ihad 100lbs on the clock by early afternoon. (With presure (and anticipation) rising but with no immediate sign of my ’support crew’ (stuck in horrible traffic on the M5 / M42 / M40) I decided to take her out for a run or two. Now really, you would expect that such a big engine would be handful for one alone but not so: the controls are all well grouped on the right hand side (including the excellent, if noisy, steam brake) and she is a delight to handle. Without a trailing load, one barely needs to open the regulator more than the ’starting valve’ (the regulator valve itself has a leading edge shaped like a ‘w’ which gives two small opening before the whole port is uncovered) for the engine to gamble along a at a fair lick. This also gave me the opportunity to turn the loco for a chimney-first departure on the first train!
And so the BIG DAY dawned….sunny and bright and set fair! YES!
Being so warm, full presure was reached in very short time (a combination of big, short boiler, large grate and belpare firebox). The team consisted of Keith Vingoe (Fireman), Ngel Ewens (Cleaner extrordinaire) and myself. Following the usual briefing the cry of ‘man your engine’ went out (not quite Le Mans style but you get the picture!) We were the second train out and put up a good show. By the third train we had found ourselves coupled to the ‘heavy’ train’ consisting of the Grean Dragon and Romanian carraiges, and with a good fire (thick-ish and even) we approached the bottom of the bank with about 140lbs and two-thirds in the glass, the injector went on and a quick round of coal and we assulted the bank in a defeaning roar! Still, I was only using about 60% regulator and three-quarters cut-off towards the top.
Later we went out again and had the opposite (but strangely satisfying) experience of doing the whole run with no more than 65lbs on the clock - I kid you not. In truth we were caught out as we did not expect to be off shed again so soon and with low water (reletively for a bunker-first run up the hill) we had to concentrate on getting the water level up at the expense of pressure. After a slightly extended blow-up at the loop (much to the hilarity of 614’s crew on the goods!) we set off with adequate water and a little over 60lbs. We sauntered along and just plodded up the bank with the injector on and still had 50lbs at Oak Tree loop. Another blow-up at the top and then another amble to the stop signal. A bit more steam and we just took it really slow into the platform, which she did without a lot of protest. Do we get the prizes for most economical and loudest runs of the day?!
All in all a most enjoyable day and many thanks to Graham Lee and all the Statfold Barn Railway crew.
We especially hope the visitors enjoyed themselves - we aim to please!
Some new photos can be found at www.tir-ltd.co.uk/galleries/la-meuse-3243 and look out for some new You-Tube footage coming soon!
Chris Phillimore
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September 14th, 2009
After a brief hiatus in June, while we dealt with other work, re-construction and restoration of the Box began in earnest in July.
After completing the brick base (using reclaimed bricks from the site), a HIAB lorry was used to move the components from temorary store to their new site and erect the main sections. Folowing work then concentrated on fabricating the new lower parts below the windows. Research has failed to pinpoint when this alteration took place but clearly it was brick by the 1960s.
We are trying to conserve as much of the original structure as possible but inevitably some parts such as the barge-boards etc were beyond repair. Much of the original planking had been replaced with modern T&G and replecating the original has been time-consuming and expensive. One very interesting feature was come to light is that an area of the original planking remained within the lean-to shed at the Eastern end and this appears to be in original LSWR salmon and Chocolate colours (under a thin layer of whitewash) and had certainly never been over-painted in SR or BR days. We have decided to paint the Box in SR colours and have retained one of the planks unpainted as a sample.
The next step is completion of painting the outside and laying the slates. We have enough original slates salvaged to do at least one slope but will have to buy some more. Similarly the ridges will need extras and I am looking for someone to turn up replacement finials - the one original will be kept in ‘as is’ condition. We have three out of six of the original sliding sashes (which are repairable) and two of the orininal cast-iron trays for the sliding runners - (why did they remove the other one when they boarded over the front?) three new matching sashes are in production by local a local joiner. The door has been repaired and then we will start on the interior, which will be 90% original.
Researching the exact paint scheme has proved difficult. Refernce to many published texts and photographs has yet to confirm a couple of details particularly the colour of the barge-bords, facias and under eaves - some photo seem to indicate that this was white, though paint evidence on the remaining finial shows cream! Any help on this subject would be appreciated! (unfortunately Mr Prior’s tome on LSWR Boxes does not deal with colour schemes at all!)
We have been offered components for a 3 lever Stevens pattern frame, which is tempting but not a priority for the time being. I have had the priviledge of meeting the owner of the original frame and have been able to pull the levers (one of which operates a genuine LSWR lattice signal). We would also be interested to find a suitable cast-iron stove (with a flat top for tea!) which would have sttod at the rear (presumably on a slate slab or iron tray?)
If anyone is interested in seeing the box (or helping with its restoration, though I must point out that it will remain private property for the foreseeable future), please contact us through the email contact. We are located in the Somerset / Devon / Dorset area and hope to hold an open-day sometime in the future.
I have posted some photos on our gallery page: www.tir-ltd.co.uk/galleries/our-work/axminster-signal-box
Chris Phillimore
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June 30th, 2009
On Saturday 27th June 2009, Chirk Fun Day played host to the first working narrow gauge steam engine in Chirk for over 74 years.
The Glyn Valley Tramway Trust undertook the operation in conjunction with TIR Ltd who supplied the locomotive.
Volunteers constructed a 120-foot long temporary tramway in the Car Park of the AAA Sport Club in Chirk (venue of the Fun day) using materials transported free of charge to the site by Richard Burbidge Ltd. Jewson of Chirk provided two dump-bags of sand to act as a buffer stop at one end (with a real one at the other)
On Thursday 25th, the loco was steamed at Statfold Works and ran a number of trips along the line there to test the new Regulator Valve. The loco worked faultlessly.
Duncan Milner’s Lorry arrived at 09:00 and the loco was on its way by 12:00 arriving at Chirk at 14:00 on Friday 26th and the engine was unloaded onto the track by 15:00 after which the volunteers including Ben Williams, David Carter, Ian Davies, Ken Nowell Terry Evans and Will Appleton, laid the remainder of the track while the engine was lit up.
The Tramway Trust provided their first loco Crew for the morning of Saturday 27th, consisting of Dave Dilnot (Driver & Fireman) and Pete Ward (Driver, who also drives for Wrexham & Shropshire in his spare time!) assisted by Chris Phillimore of TIR. The loco was in full steam and running up and down the (very short!) length of track by 11am.
After the rain cleared and the gates opened the engine was flooded with young and old keen to get on the footplate. Approximately 143 people visited the engine during the day and the sound of the whistle (pulled vigorously by young and old) drifted across the town: no-one could be in any doubt that the Glyn Valley Tramway was back in town! Distinguished visitors included Cllr Hilary Spragg, Chair of Chirk Town Council. Many people came forward with stories of the old Tramway including a lady whose great-grandfather was a ‘driver’ on the original horse-tramway to Gledrid!
Through careful management of the fire she did not blow off once despite the restricted operation. The loco was back on the road by 10:00 on Sunday!
This event marked another milestone in the GVT Trust’s ambitious plan to re-open a section of the late-lamented Glyn Valley Tramway in Chirk. The Trust had a marquee with displays of the proposals for the Tramway that have been developed over the last 6 months. There were also sales stand and displays of models of the Tramway.
TIR is pleased to have been able to support the Trust in this important and well attended event and look forward to continuing to work with them as the project develops
Posted in Glyn Valley Tramway, La Meuse 3243 | No Comments »
June 18th, 2009
On Saturday 27th June 2009, Chirk Fun Day will play host to the first working narrow gauge steam engine in Chirk for over 70 years.
TIR will be supplying our ‘La Meuse’ loco to the GVT Trust to run on temporary track at the AAA Show ground in Chirk from 10am to 4pm. Visitors will be able to visit the loco cab (for a small donation to the Trust) and watch it run along a short length of track. Visitors will receive a Certificate to commemorate the event. The loco will carry as near accurate as possible ‘GVT’ livery, complete with lining and lettering.
TIR is very pleased to have been given the opportunity of supplying a loco for this high-profile event. Thanks should also go to Richard Burbage Ltd (Chirk and Oswestry) and Jewsons (Chirk) for their support to the trust in supplying transport and materials for the track.
This event will mark another milestone in the GVT Trust’s ambitious plan to re-open a section of the late-lamented Glyn Valley Tramway in Chirk. The Trust will have a marquee with displays of the proposals for the Tramway that have been developed over the last 6 months. There will also be a sales stand and displays of models of the Tramway. In a recent Public Consultation at Chirk, 94% of those who completed a questionnaire were in favour of the Trust’s proposals to re-instate 1 mile of the former Tramway route from Chirk Station as a heritage attraction.
The Trust intends that the re-creation of the Tramway will act as a stimulant to the local economy attracting more visitors to the area and boosting local businesses and the community.
The Trust is confident that steam engines can be running on part of the original Glyn Valley Tramway route by the end of 2010. To make this happen they will need continued support from local people and railway enthusiasts alike. To support the Trust come along to the event, become a member and help make it happen
This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Additional funding has been given by Wrexham CBC.
For more information about the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust please go to their website: www.glynvalleytramway.co.uk
Posted in Glyn Valley Tramway, La Meuse 3243 | No Comments »
June 9th, 2009
The loco was successfully run on Friday 5th June without any problems, hauling a variety of trains around the entire line and proving that the air brake system was functioning. The crew for Friday consisted of Dave Dilnot(Trustee GVT trust) and myself and we were later joined for the last trip by Keith Vingoe (MD L&B Rly)
Saturday dawned very wet and along with the 7 other locos, she was steamed and was the first to come off shed. We were sent down the line to water at Oak Tree Loop while shunting went on and when we returned we were put straight onto the Mixed passenger. After the usual Crew briefing at 09:30 we were dispatched as first train. Our crew for the first trip consisted of Keith Vingoe, Pete ward (W&S Driver and formerlyof Hammersly Iron in Australia where he drove Pendennis Castle on a number of trips and was instrumental in getting her repatriated!) and myself. we ran easily on the outbound trip to the loop, however when we came to leave after the second train had passed, Ifound that the reverser was very stiff. once going there appeared to be no problems and we stormed the bank with ease! Once again leaving Oak Tree halt we experienced the same problem and after arriving at Statfold Central we decided to retire to shed for an investigation. After much shunting up and down, we came to the conclusion that the regulator valve was not closing properly. The fire was thrown out and steam allowed to escape which took over an hour. Dismantling of the (very hot) regulator housing showed that the valve had warped and was not repairable on the day. Further investigation has shown that the valve as fitted, may have an inherent tendency to drop into the port thereby causing the distortion. A new modified valve will be made and the loco will be available again within a few days.
We were nevertheless very disappointed to have let everyone down and hope that we will be able to show the loco’s true abilities later in the year. The next public event will be an appearance at Chirk on 27th June - watch this space for more info!
I would particularly like to thank Graham Lee and all the guys at Statfold Works and especially Phil Bates. My thanks also go to David Dilnot, Keith Vingoe, Pete Ward and David Herbert for their help as ’support crew’
Posted in La Meuse 3243 | No Comments »
June 1st, 2009
On Wedsnesday 27th May 2009, our steam loco gained a new 10 year boiler ticket. The loco had been steamed a couple of times in advance of the final Inspection (the boiler had been steamed out of the frames for the Inspector before) to check everything was sound. After some minor fettling the loco was pronounced sound and passed fit.
The loco has also had a full-repaint and only a few jobs remain including completing the polishing up of some of the shiny parts! After the Inspector had left the loco was given a good ‘load test’ hauling a two SAR wagons loaded with heavy, rusty diesels up the very steep gradient on the Statfiold Barn Railway where the loco is based. Brief experience has shown that a reasonably thick fire is needed, particularly at the front as the blast is quite hard and the fire can lift. With a good fire and the injector running, the bottom of the bank was approached a low speed (there is no opportunity to charge the bank as there is a very steep curve at the foot!) with the loco blowing off. With about 20% regulator she charged up the bank and had to be eased off before the top as the train was accellerating rapidly. By the time we came to a stand in the passing loop the loco blew off again!
I think it would be fair to say that she is a bit of a beast - the loco was built originally for a steelworks in Antwerp and has a theroretical TE of over 8,000lbs! A little bit of historical update - the loco was bought carrying the original works plates of No 3355 of 1929. During the overhaul many components were identified on the chassis with the number 3243. This was a sister loco which was supplied to te same owner in 1926. We have to conclude therefore that the loco is a hybrid of the two as the boiler has a plate with 3355 on it. We do not know when this ‘merger’ took place. The side tanks are also clearly not original but the cab is! She will run as 3243….probably!
For those of you lucky people who will at the SBR Open Day on 6th June, we intend to be the star of the show, blackening the skies and deafening the wildlife (with apologies to my environmentalist friends!)
Photos will be posted on the gallery.
Posted in La Meuse 3243 | 1 Comment »
June 1st, 2009
TIR is pleased to announce that phase 1 of ‘Operation Axminster’ is complete. This project has taken over 12 months to come to fruition to remove and ultimately re-erect and restore the original LSWR Crossing Keeper’s Box from Axminster Gates (Level Crossing). Network Rail is in the process of an exciting project of line enhancement on the Waterloo - Exeter route that will see an hourly service to london for the first time in over 40 years! As part of the works a three-mile section of the line around Axminster is being re-doubled. TIR’s managing director, Chris Phillimore became aware, through Industry contacts, that the original Box would be in the way of the works which include new signalling controls and re-alignment of the track.
The building which was one of only two remaining along the route is beleived to date from the 1880s and was erected to house the winding wheel for the manual gates and a 6 or 8 lever frame to operate the signals either side of the crossing. The structure is a timber semi-sectional building in softwood with a slate roof and glazed on three sides. Although much altered including erection of a brick chimney at some stage and more recently boarding over 3 of the 4 sliding windows at the front, the building was substantially original. Dismantling has revealed a number of interesting historical features - two sperate locations for the chimney from the original cast-iron stove passing through the roof boarding, the original wooden flooring still showing the shape of the frame where it sat in the floor, a five-foot deep void below with traces of the mountings for the frame and winding gear and much more including a large pile of coal in the corner of the basement!
Phase 2 which wil begin in a week or so will be to concerve, re-erect, and repair the structure at private site in the South-West. This will include using the excellent condition bricks (stamped ‘PINHOE’ in two different styles recovered from the chimney and rear lean-to) to make a new base and manufacture of new windows to replace the missing ones. The work should be complete by the autumn.
To undertake the work TIR had to create and have approved a Work Package Plan and other documentation to NR standard to integrate the works within the overall project. Much of the dismantling was undertaken over 30th / 31st May in connection with a total Blockade of the line. TIR also provided a COSS and suitably workers to undertake the work.
TIR would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance: James Lofts and David Morris at Network Rail, Stuart Barnes and John Skeet of BAM Nuttal Construction and all the other local guys from NR Operations, Bam Nuttal, S&T Cover Ltd who were so helpful!
Photos will be posted on the gallery
Watch this space for progres on Phase 2!
Posted in Railway Buildings | 2 Comments »
May 12th, 2009
We are about to take down our old website at thirtyinchrailways.moonfruit.com as our brand new tir-ltd.co.uk website is now live!
So please remove any bookmarks you’ve got to our old site at thirtyinchrailways.moonfruit.com, and remember this address instead!
On our new website you will find a full Thirty Inch Railways gallery of past and present projects, as well as this blog - full of all the latest TIR Ltd news and articles.
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May 12th, 2009
We’re very pleased to announce that our new website is now live! And our blog will be coming soon - so you can browse all our latest news and read a range of articles.
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