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45163

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by Martin Perry, Jul 23, 2024.

  1. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    According to the 45163 Loco Facebook page, an agreement has been reached with Ian Riley for the loco to be completed to main line standards and become part of the Riley main line fleet, on a long term loan basis.
    Positive news for all parties.
    IMG_2713.jpeg
     
  2. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    “We are very pleased to be able to make the following announcement:-

    Highland ‘Hiker’ bound for main line – and a return to Scotland?

    ‘Black Five’ No. 45163 for fast-track restoration in partnership with Ian Riley.

    Scottish Region ‘Black Five’ No. 45163 could return to its former home ground, with a main line restoration plan in partnership with Ian Riley.
    Owning group 45163 Ltd, which has been restoring the Stanier 4-6-0 from Barry scrapyard condition at the Colne Valley Railway, has signed an agreement with the Lancashire-based engineer and main line operator that will see the locomotive return to Network Rail metals in 2027.

    Under the deal, 45163 Ltd will retain ownership of the engine which has been in its hands for over 30 years, but Riley & Son (E) Ltd will complete its restoration – and pay for the fitting of air-braking and main line electronic equipment – in return for the long-term loan of the locomotive.

    The hire agreement will run for 25 years, and will then end with the return of the locomotive to 45163 Ltd in working order. Provision has also been made for it to visit preserved lines, including the Colne Valley Railway and the West Somerset Railway.

    The first parts of the ‘5MT’ are due to be moved north to the works of Riley & Son (E) Ltd at the beginning of September, while 45163 Ltd volunteers will continue work on the remaining components at the CVR.

    The engine will effectively become the fourth ‘Black Five’ in Mr Riley’s main line fleet, along with his own Nos. 45407 and 44871, and No. 45212 which is on loan from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

    It is anticipated, though not confirmed, that No. 45163 will be a contender for operation on the Fort William to Mallaig ‘Jacobite’ steam specials, along with the other three ‘Black Fives’ in the Riley & Son stable. If so, this will mark something of a homecoming for the 1935-built Armstrong Whitworth engine, which spent the first 15 years of its life in the Scottish Highlands – where these locomotives were nicknamed ‘Hikers’ – working from Perth and Inverness sheds. During its later career allocated to Carlisle Kingmoor, it is also known to have reached Oban.

    It last steamed in 1965, being withdrawn from Kingmoor in the week ending May 15 that year, and arrived at Barry that November.

    Ironically, main line running was the original plan of its first owner in preservation – Alan Bates, proprietor of London-based jazz record label Black Lion Records, who rescued the engine from Barry scrapyard in 1987 and took it to the Hull Dairycoates base of the Humberside Locomotive Preservation Group. Work undertaken in this period included turning of the tyres and axle journals, and ultrasonic testing of the axles for main line use, at Swindon – which has now helped to pave the way for the new main line return.

    Alan Bates put the dismantled engine up for sale in 1991, and it was purchased by 45163 Ltd, a group of CVR members led by the line’s then Chief Mechanical Engineer Jeremy Dunn. Moving the locomotive to Castle Hedingham two years later, the group has since constructed a fully equipped shed and workshop, and fully restored the ‘5MT’s frames, which were re-wheeled on 22 June.

    The deal with Ian Riley has, however, been prompted by the increasing age profile of the group’s membership, and the desire to see the locomotive run again in a short timescale.

    Jeremy Dunn, Chairman of 45163 Ltd, commented: “The 45163 Restoration Group has achieved an awful lot during the time we have been custodians of 45163, considering our limited resources, having constructed our own undercover full engineering facility at the CVR, envied by many.

    “45163 had been heavily stripped as one of the latter locomotives to leave Barry, and it has been a big part of the project to find and fund replacements. Most parts required for the re-build have now been secured, and following extensive frame repairs 45163 has finally been re-wheeled.

    “However, it has taken us 30 years to get to this stage, none of us are getting any younger and we have lost a number of active members along the way through ill health and those who have died. As project leader and majority shareholder, I am very conscious of the fact that those who have put so much time and effort into the project thus far should be able to see the engine finished and operating. I include myself in this, having wondered if I will live long enough to see the day when it will be steamed for the first time.

    “We have had dialogue with a number of heritage railways over the last 10 years, most of whom approached us with a view to offering fast-track restoration in order to secure the loco for their fleet. However, none have come to fruition. We were already known to Riley & Son as we had sub-contracted some work to them, including machining the cylinder blocks, expansion links and providing new die blocks as well as new valves and valve rods. A conversation in May 2023 raised the possibility to work together to see the engine restored to full working order, in a timescale that addressed my concerns and to main line standards – something that had never formed part of our plans, having thought such aspirations would be out of reach for our group.

    “This is an exciting new chapter in which we will see 45163 return to some of her old stomping grounds in Scotland as well as visiting heritage railways. We have ensured that our members can still be involved in the operation of the locomotive and that it will visit railways where some of our members are operational staff. For any of our members who are still around in 25 years time this agreement ensures that the locomotive is returned to the group in full working order.”

    Ian Riley said: “You can’t beat a ‘Black Five’.”

    The photo below shows Ian Riley shaking hands with 45163 Ltd Chairman, Jeremy Dunn on July 4th 2024 upon signing of the formal agreement between the two parties.”
     
  3. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

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    Great news. I can remember reading about a Black 5 heading to the Colne Valley when I was ten. I’m now 43 so I’m glad that the loco will be in steam in the next few years
     
    Martin Perry, acorb and bristolian like this.
  4. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Great news!

    45293 is also at the CVR (different ownership)
     
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  5. Charles Parry

    Charles Parry Member

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    Very positive and works well for all involved.

    Speaking of Black Fives and the mainline, did we ever find out where 45110 had run off to? Could we be seeing that return at the same time I wonder.
     
  6. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    10A
    Apparently needs a very extensive overhaul, so it could be quite a while before she returns.
     
  7. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

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    The 45163 group has put in a huge amount of effort over the years, including building a workshop so that the locomotive could be restored undercover, so it’s good to see all their hard work paying off.
     
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  8. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

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    Interesting how it was mentioned that various railways had been approached with a view to fast track the restoration. I wonder which ones?
     
  9. free2grice

    free2grice Part of the furniture Friend

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    The latest news from the 45163 Restoration Group: ''After lots of preparation, 45163 has now left the shed!''

    [​IMG]



    [​IMG]

    From Ian Riley ''Number Four Black Fives arrives at The Works''

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2024
    Haighie, ragl, green five and 6 others like this.
  10. Jeremy Dunn

    Jeremy Dunn New Member

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    For clarification, Ian Riley has not acquired 45163, it is still very much 100% owned by 45163 Limited. It is joining Ian's fleet on a long term loan agreement.
     
  11. pmh_74

    pmh_74 Well-Known Member

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    Where is its boiler currently?
     
  12. goldfish

    goldfish Nat Pres stalwart

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    "It was definitely on there when we left the CVR"…

    ;)
     
  13. Jeremy Dunn

    Jeremy Dunn New Member

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    Both the boiler and tender chassis are still at the CVR. These are projects that the 45163 Restoration Group team can continue to work on until required by Rileys.
     
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  14. Hicks19862

    Hicks19862 Member

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    What was loaded on to the lorry looks pristine. Speaks highly of the work undertaken by the 45163 group
     
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  15. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Looking forward to seeing 45163 restored back to working order again. Anyone like to hazard a guess which ex Barry restoration will be completed next.
     
  16. Southernman99

    Southernman99 Member Friend

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    4150 at the SVR should be the next barry loco back in service. Hopefully next spring/ early summer next year.
     
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  17. 76079

    76079 Member

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    indeed it does look pristine and this is not taking away anything from the 45163 lads but it will probably all have to come to pieces again.
    For vehicle acceptance purposes everything has to be an audited trail of paperwork.
    Then there will be the modifications for mainline running, air pump, TPWS, aws etc, probably easier to run the pipe runs and bracketry on a fairly bare chassis
     
  18. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    I found this on YouTube today.

     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2024
  19. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    A very informative and well-produced video. Thanks for posting the link. The work done on 45163 thus far seems to have been undertaken to a high standard and although, as 76079 has pointed out, much of it may have to be dismantled, the loco looks as if it has a very positive future, hopefully back in action in three years' time - including being the first ex-Barry Black Five to run in the main line.

    Looking at poor old 35010, which featured briefly in the video, it seems to me that some sort of tie-up with Riley's or some similar group may be the best hope of seeing it and 45293, the other loco owned by the British Enginemen Steam Preservation Society, restored.
     
  20. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    45293 maybe, but 35010? He hasn't exactly rushed to get 35009 restored.....
     
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