35025 Brocklebank Line

The SLL website says that the class 40 wheelsets were sold and that the frames were to a WC/BoB design, but they have not yet been found in the undergrowth at Sellindge

 

Interesting. I think the previous owners bought those diesel wheelsets in the days long before other groups started casting new Boxpok wheels, so hopefully a more authentic appearance is on the cards for '25's future tender.
Also interesting if they had WC frames lined up for a MN tender. I am constantly confused by all the Bulleid tender variations but one thing I do recall is that one type has a flat base on the tank, the other has a recess into the frames. Which is which I can't remember... but presumably one way round you can match the two bits, and the other way round, you can't.
As I recall those tender frames looked roughly like this: [ |0| |0| |0| ] where o represents the hornguides and | represents where different small sections of frame had been welded together. To my untrained eye the welding looked excellent but how they managed to make all those bits straight and true I've no idea. Nor whether they'd be allowed on the main line. I guess time will tell but I wouldn't be surprised if '25 will need new tender frames.

 

Completeness? Doesn't 35029 have parts 'borrowed' from 34051?

 

Not heard that one but quite possibly. Maybe some of the fittings from 35029 had gone by the time it left Barry so for display purposes 34051 was robbed of bit the public wouldn't see.

 

some trivia reference 35025 and tenders .......

The third series of MNs utilised 6000g tenders and 35025 ran with tender 3343 until June 1952 when it was fitted with tender 3350 through to withdrawal in September 1964. Moved to Woodhams in March 1965 and lost it's tender when 35018 was purchased for the Mid Hants railway. This tender was subsequently paired with WC 34105 Swanage and received a new tender tank created as a hybrid of 5500g capacity. The old tank is the one said to be paired back with 35025. (coincidently, original tender 3343 is now paired with 35018 at Carnforth)

http://www.ten.rhrp.org.uk/displaytender.php?Ref=208N96XGREHDYF1VIJP5

The Boiler with 35025 said to be in good condition, was new when fitted to 35013 Blue Funnel as built. Fitted to 35025 in December 1956

I believe the previous owner of 35025 had a new drag box made but not sure if that may have been used instead with 34010 or 34058?

NB : There is an apparently unallocated Maunsell 4000g tender snowplough T715 / ADS70225 at Sheffield Park - ex 30915 Brighton I believe.