What a difference a few days make

NELPG's K1 no 62005 has gone for tyre turning. Nothing very exciting there, one might say. However there is a deja vu story to tell.

For many weeks the group has been trying to find a suitable place for the necessary tyre re profiling. Several depots were too busy, others couldn't turn the required profile and others didn't have road access.

The latter was important because travel by rail in steam would mean support crews having to visit the depot to remove side rods and re-assemble afterwards (with all the red tape that that would involve). This is also an expensive option.

With Thornaby Depot recently closed only two depots said that they could do the work, Glasgow Shields or Cardiff Canton. Plans were in the final stages to go to Shields when it was discovered that Thornaby was staying open long enough to turn tyres on a number of (I understand) diesel shunters. A quick phone call and the job was arranged. The loco was prepared at Carnforth (which was going to be handier for Glasgow), and brought by road today 22nd November. The tyre turning is due to be done this weekend and the loco will be back at Carnforth mid next week.

It is quite fitting really that the K1 will almost certainly be the last steam loco on the Thornaby wheel lathe before it is stripped out and sent to Germany ( I understand).

Here are two photos, by Richard Pearson, of the K1, taken at the same spot only a few days apart but in very different circumstances.

http://martin188.fotoblog.org.uk/c1412533.html

 

I've just discovered that there is another steam loco going to Thornaby before the lathe closes, No 45212. It would have to be a black five wouldn't it!