It has been another busy week at Preston as the overhaul on Great Western Railway 0-6-2T No. 5643 continues. There were two pairs of legs to be seen protruding from the locomotive’s right hand side tank last Wednesday as further cleaning and painting took place.
John Dixon has fabricated and fitted a replacement flange for the tank which will form the connection to the balance pipe.
Thursday saw the arrival of a very large crane which re-fitted 5643’s bunker to the frames in pouring rain.
The crane was then used to flip the boiler 90 degrees before replacing it onto the lowmac wagon for new patch screws to be inserted.
Friday saw the Ribble Steam Railway welcome Hunslet 0-6-0T No. 2409 of 1942, King George, on loan from the Didcot Railway Centre, having previously been hired by the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The locomotive is expected to provide cover at the RSR for the remainder of the year.
FR 20 is scheduled to be active in the RSR’s 20th Anniversary Gala this next weekend before departing to the East Lancashire Railway next Tuesday along with Great Eastern Railway royal saloon No. 5.
Finally, a reminder that the FRT’s Annual General Meeting will be held at 7.30pm this Wednesday, 3rd September, in the FRT shed at Preston. Alison is once again kindly providing refreshments.