Construction of 3' Gauge Blyth for Southwold Railway Trust by NBR Engineering, Darlington

The boiler was finished last week and is awaiting final certification from British Engineering.

Today, the chassis assembly was started.

Have added the photo of the completed boiler to complete the record to date

 

Why build a new loco when there is are two perfectly good 3 foot gauge locos Kettering Furnaces No.8 and Handyman from Kettering ironstone railways crying out for support, one at Market Harborough and the other at the NRM?

 

The Trust who is paying can choose whatever locomotive they like.

 

Perfect response David!

Great work with the boiler, looking forward to seeing this loco emerge, hopefully you'll be able to post a few pics here from time to time as construction progresses?

Keith

 

Hi Keith,

Thanks.

That is the plan.

You can follow the progress of this locomotive and other new builds and components for others on Facebook aswell https://www.facebook.com/North-Bay-Railway-Engineering-Services-222968755125074/?ref=bookmarks

 

Probably because The Southwold Railway want a Southwold Railway locomotive?

 

And their owned by someone else. The NRM may not want to enter a lease agreement. The loan of No. 8 might come with strings attached.

Annnd.... a new locomotive has the benefits of a new locomotive... i.e. won't be worn out...

 

I think having an original Southwold locomotive is a statement of intent as much as it is having a working locomotive.

 

Congratulations to the Southwold Trust and all of the team working on this project.

 

Southwold boiler finished, tested and approved by British Engineering Services.

 

Is it normal for welded boilers to have such sharp corners where the plates are welded together?

 

Yes, if that is what is designed.

 

Square cornered boilers aren’t popular with traditionalists but are well proven.

 

I assume that the designers have taken account of the lessons learned here https://www.news.com.au/travel/trav...r/news-story/bc723a15ce58a97d839483bfd0e7ce4a

........the square shape of the Comet’s windows played a big role in the metal fatigue that caused those crashes.

The sharp corners of the windows put the surrounding metal under extra stress in high altitudes — as much as two or three times more than other places on the plane. The stress was concentrated in the four corners of every window, causing the metal fatigue.............

 

I don't think there are many windows in steam loco boilers.

(Sorry, someone had to say it )

 

Indeed Mark, but they are pressure vessels subject to fatigue with (in this case) internal sharp corners.

Still, if they meet the various codes of practise, etc. all will be well.

 

yes but they were internal squares not external. The stress cracks would radiate out from the corners, which aren't there on the boiler.

 

how much would such a loco be costing, ballpark. ?

 

According to their May 2019 Newsletter that someone gave me the other day, they are quoting around £250,000 to complete the loco. Don't know whether the boiler is included in that, though presumably so.
The "rolling chassis" is apparently the next phase (frames/wheels/cylinders/motion) and is costed at over £130,000.

 

Talyllyn / No1, has had an all-welded boiler without flanged plates, since rebuilding c. 1957.