35025 Brocklebank Line

Slightly more recent photo showing reverser support in situ. Photo by Dave Ensor as always

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Thanks Sunnieboy....now all the pictures will be of Brocklebank coming together more and more!

 

Latest news from SLL is that, at Herston, Brocklebank's cab frame is virtually completed and new platework is being added. The frames, at Sellindge, have had some work done but Sidmouth's frames have been the priority for grit blasting and painting.
The boiler will need a new front tubeplate and front lower "D" patch to the front boiler barrel - where water had pooled over the years. As said before though, the rest of the boiler is in good condition.

 

Latest photo fully painted now being measured for the panels.

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More has been added to the cab as the roof ventilator has been completed and tested. The bare mechanism can be seen in the above picture.

 

There is an update about Brocklebank and the rest of the SLL fleet on the Southern Locomotives website.

 

Latest photo of the cab care of David Ensor.

Sunnie

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There was a comment somewhere about the lack of any recent Ex Barry completions. It is great that the SLL will be having two in the next few years (Brocklebank and Sidmouth). Well done to the teams involved.

 

There is another update, on the SLL website, which is about a steam video to support Ukrainian children.

 

Also from SLL website, the outside of 35025's tender has been receiving some attention at Sellinge, so that it is well protected over the winter.

 

Work on the frames of Brocklebank is continuing at Sellinge. The cab has been finished and is going to Margate for display in the 1 to 1 collection. This is a good way of keeping it under cover and it is going to be a useful interactive display item. It will be finish painted when installed.

 

There have been more updates on the SLL website but work is continuing on the frames with needle gunning and rust treatment. Another Bulleid was due to arrive at Sellinge "Sir Frederick Pile". There is now an even larger team working at Sellinge!

 

Work has been continuing at Sellinge on Brocklebank's frames. However Sidmouth and now Sir Frederick Pile are getting the most attention. The volunteer team there are to be congratulated on their efforts.

 

There is news about 35025, as SLL shareholders are being asked to approve the transfer of Brocklebank Line to the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society (they own and run "Clan Line").
As 35025 had fallen behind both Sidmouth and Sir Frederick Pile, in SLL priorities, it was going to be several years before any more significant progress would be made. Also it will provide more resilience for the MNLPS for their future operations.
Interesting times!

 

That's sounds positive and I've long felt that MNLPS would benefit from a second engine for when overhauls become due. Let's hope things turn out well for both the Society and the Locomotive.

I've also felt that the LSS team at Crewe would want their MN27 part of their mainline stable too.

 

As a SLL shareholder (who amongst other things joined to support the restoration of 35025), I support this proposal - and it has spurred me on to joining the MNLPS as a result. Should be good news for both organisations, and for the loco's future prospects.

 

Sounds like an interesting development.

In Steam Railway's latest issue SLL said that they felt of all their on going restorations, it was probably the easiest to tackle, but as you say it's at the bottom of the list of priorities right now, there was no suggestion they were looking to transfer 35025's ownership though.

 

I have not gone as far as joining MNLPS, but this small SLL shareholder will be writing to confirm support for this. Having joined what is now SLL to support 35022's return to steam, and seen both 27 and 22 sold on, the decision to adopt Brocklebank never quite sat right with me. This both restores balance and, as important, should help ensure restoration of another of these superb machines

 

Anyone else get the feeling that Brocklebank might become the MNLPS' version of 249 Squadron?

 

Surely MNLPS would have picked another one before now if they wanted only spares?
I hope it shows confidence in the future and means overhauls can be planned over a longer timeframe whilst the other loco is in service and earning.
Does MN25 have a tender?