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W&LLR: Joan

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by houghtonga, Jul 5, 2011.

  1. houghtonga

    houghtonga Member

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    From:

    http://www.wllr.org.uk

    Joan on the move for first time in two decades

    Hard-working volunteers and staff at the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway celebrated reaching a major milestone on Sunday (3rd July) when one of the line’s steam locomotives moved under its own power for the first time in 20 years.

    Loco no 12 ‘Joan’ is an 0-6-2 Kerr Stuart tank which was built in Stoke-on-Trent in 1927, for service on the sugar lines of the Caribbean island of Antigua. It has been under restoration at Llanfair Caereinion for five years, the work including fitting a new boiler. The restoration was paid for by an appeal amongst members and supporters of the railway that raised £135,000.

    On Sunday a fire was lit in Joan before much of the day was spent carefully checking everything was working correctly, along with weighing the engine using specialist equipment.

    Finally in the afternoon the regulator was gently eased open, and with a blast on the distinctive and deep-throated whistle Joan moved forward. The rest of the day was spent running around Llanfair yard, watching closely for any signs of problems, but initial results looked highly encouraging.

    There are still several jobs to do before Joan is complete and ready to haul passenger trains. The team working on the engine hope that if enough volunteer help comes forward in the next few weeks Joan can be made ready for the summer high season before playing a starring role at the line’s annual Steam Gala on 2nd to 4th September.

    Joan was found in Antigua by W&LLR Trustee Tony Thorndike and repatriated in 1971. The loco was a mainstay of the line’s fleet during the 1980s but firebox issues resulted in it last being steamed in 1991.

    W&LLR Press Officer and locomotive fireman Andrew Charman was particularly pleased to see Joan on the move on Sunday. “This was the loco I travelled behind when I first visited the railway in the early 1980s,” he said. “To see the engine in steam again is great and I am looking forward to having a go on the footplate.”
     
    houghtonga, Jul 5, 2011
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  2. Neil_Scott

    Neil_Scott Part of the furniture

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    Well done to the WLLR.

    Where was the new boiler built?
     
    Neil_Scott, Jul 5, 2011
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  3. steamdream

    steamdream Member

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    Very happy news Joan is the "sexiest" loco of the WLLR!:yo:
    regards
    noel
     
    steamdream, Jul 5, 2011
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  4. I. Cooper

    I. Cooper Member

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    The news item on their website for 14th May 2010 shows the new boiler following "...an early morning arrival from builders Israel Newton and Sons".
     
    I. Cooper, Jul 5, 2011
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  5. Foxhunter

    Foxhunter Member

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    Great news! Look forward to seeing at their September Gala?

    Foxy
     
    Foxhunter, Jul 6, 2011
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  6. 21B

    21B Part of the furniture

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    Err no. Definately not. congratulations to all who got Joan going again, and she is a nice loco, but I'm sorry the sexiest loco belonging to the WLLR (actually I think to any railway in the UK) is SLR No.85.
     
    21B, Jul 8, 2011
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