(All 17.2.2009)
More info on the loco works at Shillingstone courtesy of Nick Howes.
[T]he engineering facility has been at the pinnacle of the Trust's plan for a least 4 years and will provide employment, pass on important engineering skills and show the public, who are fascinated by steam, how things are done. Not only locomotives, but carriages and wagons too. Once Morning Star and another loco go through the contract overhaul works then the locos and other stock that follows will start to build up a healthy fund for whatever direction the project decides to take in future. This sustainable long term vision has been recently endorsed by our colleagues at Midsomer Norton. As I said elsewhere what is eventually needed is shared membership, [o]ne quarterly magazine and shared stock, artefacts, skills, knowledge and staff between all the S&D projects, which are currently, Washford, Midford, Midsomer Norton, Masbury, Gartells, Shillingstone and Spetisbury.
6 comments:
The making of new parts, from simple nuts and bolts, right up to a brand new pony truck and the full over haul of the frames, wheelsets and axle boxes to MT276 has so far cost the 92207 Loco Company in the order of £110,000 since leaving Barry in 1986.
i'm sure it will be worth it in the end. i do like a 9F, and thats from a diesel fan?
To expand on the Shillingstone business plan, As soon as the current UK political uncertainty (which affects local government) is ironed out we shall be in a better position to battle for the funding we need to transform Shillingstone into a centre of engineering excellence, just like the Flour Mill, Ropley, Sheffield Park, Bridgnorth and Riley & Sons of Bury. When built, our shed, clad with traditional red brick will borrow architctural styles from both the old Highbridge works buildings and from the surviving Shillingstone/Cole Dorset Cental station design, with Portland stone lintels, corbelled facias and brindle dressing. It will be 121 x 35 feet in footprint. At the front will be 2 lines accomodating engines, coaches or wagons up to 70 feet long; one line having a full inspection pit, with a clear 4 feet of workspace down the 3 lanes and at each end.
The back (lower floor) will contain a 35 by 37 foot workshop with lathes and machines anticipated for different jobs; turning, boring, milling, drilling, slotting, grinding, shaping, a welding bay and a protected retractable viewing gallery for the public. Upstairs will be the main stores along with foremans office, classroom, kitchen and wc/shower and a viewing balcony of the 2 roads. Outside on a 56 foot 2 road concrete apron will be an A frame and loco/coach jacks. Boiler work will be sub contracted off site. The classroom and viewing galleries will contain interactive displays on all current and general aspects of railway engineering and help educate the public who it must not be forgotten are largely oblivious to the history and practices of the great railway age which was mostly wiped from the public psyche by 1970. Hard hat tours may also be permissable.
The grant package for the whole station project will encompass 92207, an RMB (Restaurant Mini Buffet Mark 1 coach) and another, (to be decided) ex BR engine to be the first to go "through the works" proper and then go earn their keep on larger preserved railways as ambassadors to the S&D. After this, a big heritage name will then "guarantor" further contract overhauls through the shed for many years to come as there are not enough uk sites to keep up with demand as more and more of the 215 Barry survivors are restored and need their 10 yearly overhauls doing to feed the ever growing heritage railway movement.
And the incredible thing is - some volunteers at Shillingstone were OPPOSING this????? I'm glad it's now all been sorted and you can get on with it.
let's not go there eh? I'm sticking to facts, plans, vision and sustainibilty for future rail growth and education!
Nick
It’s a pity Radstock didn't see sense and turn the old wagon works into the NRM of the West (& South)? Instead they want to build houses all over most of it, highly sustainable!
I’m sure you'll be on a winner with this, and I shall follow the progress avidly from afar (on the internet). I shall not resist a visit though.
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