Conserving the Shark: Part 3

This is the third and final part in a series of blog posts by Robin Gibson, who’s working with*Stathis Tsolis on the conservation of an 1860s locomotive model. *Read* part 1 and part 2

The weeks have passed so quickly here at the Conservation Department, that it came as a surprise that the end of my placement is imminent.* Work on the “Shark” model has quickened, with cleaning of old adhesives from the main and detached parts a priority. Thankfully most of the adhesive used was animal or “scotch” glue, easily removed using simply water and a little gentle heat usually from a close light source, or even from the (gloved) fingers. Replacement glue was obtained and trialled (important that it is conservation grade – i.e. easily reversible) with differing types and strengths. It was decided to use animal glue again, very strong if applied correctly, but as it is applied hot, it cools rapidly, making correct positioning of parts crucial.



Replacement parts for the missing items were made from suitable wood with discrete labels applied to allow for later identification of new parts. The parts were assembled without glue in a dry run, to ensure that the positions were correct and then colour matched to be slightly different to the original to assist identification. Other areas where there was damage due to paint loss, or very friable decoration were consolidated and then colour matched. Damage caused by wood splitting was rectified. Finally the new and old parts were assembled and fitted using animal glue until for the first time for many years, “Shark” appeared as a whole model.







The problem with what to do with one or two loose items which were not possible to locate with any confidence was solved by packaging them and placing under a new section of “coal” designed to be removable. A plinth was made the track sections assembled and “Shark” positioned.



One of the major issues with any conservation task is the ethical question of how much to restore or clean an object. With “Shark” full consideration of this was documented in a conservation plan and agreed with Stathis prior to commencing any work. It was agreed that there would be minimal intervention that loose parts would be re-installed and missing parts made. Friable surfaces would be consolidated and paint loss replaced with acrylic paint. Cleaning would be dry only to avoid removing the patina of possibly 100 – 150 years age. All work would be reversible.

Not the least interesting part of the work on restoring and conserving “Shark” has been thinking about the original maker, whilst working on it and planning a safe method to prevent further deterioration during the work. Due to time constraints very little research was carried out apart from what was in front of me. There is probably a lot more research to be done, the original workmanship, whilst appearing somewhat crude was done with great care and accuracy, probably by a railway worker in the mid 19th century, probably with no electric light, certainly no power tools and with a good understanding of the original locomotive and it’s working parts. Why was it modelled? Who modelled it? Where did he live? How old was he? Was he a driver or fireman of “Shark”?

Probably the only thing I can be certain of is that “Shark” was not used as a maker’s sales model, as these were made from metal, usually in the factory and to engineering drawings and standards. The same would be true if it was made by apprentices as a test piece, or a trophy for the boardroom.* Not a toy as it was and is fairly delicate and rested on only a short piece of display track. “Shark” must have been made by a person wanting to keep the memory of the locomotive alive, for himself or his family. Someone experiencing the industrial revolution in it’s heyday, but living probably in conditions that today many would think of as poverty, working extraordinarily long hours with little* or no chance for leisure pursuits.

I have not yet found another model of this type, and I am sure the museum would welcome any comments or additional information to add to the knowledge we have of what is a charming object, full of social history.



By necessity, work on “Shark” has had to take priority, but I have had the opportunity to carry out other interesting work during my short time at York, gaining an understanding of conservation of large and small objects in a national collection, ranging from assisting with the return of advertising posters from an exhibition to joining the team cleaning the frames and wheels of *“Green Arrow” after its return from Locomotion, prior to display in the Great Hall.





Finally I like to thank Stathis and his hard working team and the many others too numerous to mention who have been very willing to assist and help, encouraging me and showing great patience. It has been an experience I will not forget.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post these blogs, interesting little item.