Month: August 2025

It has been time to catch up with some maintenance jobs on Furness Railway 0-4-0 locomotive No. 20. Alan is seen working on the fireman’s side water valve which had seized up on the 16th August causing the operating lever to break. Fortunately, there was no problem with the driver’s side injector and the locomotive continued in service that day. The seized water valve is relatively new but has now been replaced by the previous water valve which has been repaired.

John Dixon had noticed that one of the tender brake rods was rubbing against a wheel and this has been removed, straightened and refitted. Tim has also taken the opportunity to adjust the tender brakes. FR 20 is due to operate the Ribble Steam Railway’s passenger service this next Saturday, 30th August.

The recent movement of the components of the former Furness Railway No.25 has allowed access to them with the result that Paul Balshaw has wire brushed the exterior of the smokebox and painted it with red oxide primer.

A crane has been ordered for this next Thursday, 28th August in order that GWR 0-6-2 No. 5643’s bunker can be refitted to the frames and then the boiler lifted and turned through 90 degrees in order that new patch screws can be fitted. This latter procedure is likely to be repeated shortly to allow further new patch screws to be fitted on the other side.

A working party is being organised to go Embsay next Tuesday, 2nd September, in order to dismantle Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST locomotive Cumbria in readiness for a boiler lift.

A reminder that this year’s Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place in the FRT shed at Preston at 07. 30 pm on Wednesday, 3rd September. There will be refreshments served aft

The highlight of the last fortnight has undoubtedly been the FRT’s participation at The Greatest Gathering at Derby on the 1st , 2nd and 3rd August which, in effect, had become the birthday party celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Railways. The event was massive, with 140 exhibits on site plus sales stands, carousels, Ferris Wheel, a model railway village plus entertainment. There was good coverage on local TV, including some whistle blowing on FR 20 by the presenter.

https://youtu.be/_3vZ9DX2_nc?si=cLTHLkYDJkitS2Ow  

The team assembled on site on Thursday, 31st July to set up the sales stand, with Alison, Phil and Anne seen here.

Furness Railway No. 20 needed cleaning and prepping to be in steam by 10.00 on 1st August to blow its whistle with others to welcome those waiting at the gate. Around 40,000 people attended over the weekend. Sam, Ade and Alan are seen with No. 20.

The crowds soon appeared to gain cab access with FRT members on hand to explain the locomotive’s history and the layout of the cab.

Aaron soon developed a good line of patter which also encouraged visitors to purchase a copy of the recently published FR 20 book, copies of which were displayed on the side of the tender.

Live Steam folk band performed twice a day singing railway songs in the large ‘G’ shop where trains are assembled.

All in all, the event proved to be very successful and it is unlikely that we will see anything similar for a long time to come. FR 20 is due back at Preston tomorrow, Tuesday, 12th August and is rostered for service on Saturdays 16th and 30th August. The following photo shows FR 20 being shunted at Derby after the event by non-other than a huge Class 93 locomotive.

Back at Preston work has continued on the overhaul of Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643 with Ron Crowe and Paul Balshaw removing the handrail from the smokebox. This is to enable the boiler to be turned on its side for new patch screws to be fitted.

The 2nd Class North London coach body that has been stored at Jim Kay’s house in Blackpool for many years finally made it to Preston last Tuesday where Adrian was on hand to do the necessary shunt and arranged for it to be placed on a PMV chassis that had been accommodating various components of the former FR 25.

The latest edition of The Iron Horse has been mailed out with details of this year’s Annual General Meeting, which will be held at 7.30 pm in the FRT shed at Preston on Wednesday, 3rd September.