Yet another Hudswell update

Both regular readers will have followed the trials and tribulations of the two parallel Hudswell Clarke restoration jobs at Apedale with something close to disinterest. You will therefore be pleased to hear that both jobs are now close to completion. The last major job on the diesel - D558 - was to rebuild the front coupling block which had suffered rather badly in the gentle care of the stone quarry where the loco operated. A new block has been fabricated and has now been trialled on the loco. All looks good, just need to source a couple of huge bolts, and then there's a few minor cosmetic jobs left (on the optimistic assumption that the radiator leak has cured).
On the external combustion front, HC1238 has had a lot of tinkering and fiddling going on to resolve some teething issues, but there did seem to be some success today. This led to the loco being transferred to the Operational section of the Loco Availability board in a brief, but somehow tear-jerking, ceremony. All being well, the loco will now be used to operate the Santa Trains, which means the crew are hoping for a winter more like those in Ghana than those we sometimes see down t'Valley. As ever, get in touch here.

Winter maintenance

With the Pilk now officially back on its feet and looking towards an early discharge from the casualty unit, other winter maintenance jobs have been occupying the volunteers of the Apedale Vally Light Railway. Coach maintenance and greasing fishplates isn't particularly photogenic, but welding up holes in steam locos is. The Hudswell Clarke steam loco made its triumphant return to steam in September. Inevitably, there is a small snag list of minor problems which emerged during early running. One of these was the need to re-route the oil pipes from the displacement lubricator to the cylinders; this involved sealing the previous hole used to penetrate the smokebox. Hence the welding. Another minor job has been fixing the replica "AngloGold Ashanti No.9" plates, which have doubled.the weight of the loco, but do give a nice "finished" air. Not sure yet which loco will work the Santas - time will tell if this new upstart will displace the old-faithful "Stanhope" on this prime job. Mentioning Santa - don't forget, still time to book here. Get in touch here.

Poorly Pilk

Visitors to Apedale may have noticed that the diesel passenger service has, in the latter part of the season, been operated exclusively by the yellow Baguley Drewry. This is because the other air braked diesel, No.13 (Motor Rail 11142) has been distinctly unwell. This loco used to work for Pilkington Glass - hence known to one and all at Apedale as "The Pilk". There had been a little concern about the clutch earlier in the year, but some minor adjustments seemed to resolve the problem. Then, one Saturday mid-season, the driver found it was emitting the most horrendous noises of mechanical trauma. The driver sensibly stopped the engine - fortunately with the train stood safely at Silverdale Station, called for assistance, and that was that for The Pilk for the time being. The need to prioritise other matters - like the Tracks to the Trenches event - meant that the repair had to wait its turn. That turn is now with us.
When Motor Rail locos are built, the first thing to be added to the basic frame is a gearbox. Then the clutch. Then everything else. Hence, getting into the clutch means almost everything else has to come off the loco, leaving it with a rather stripped-down, racy look. The failure appears to be due to a cracked outer race in a clutch bearing deciding to finally let go completely. The bearing has now been replaced, and the loco is at the re-assembly stage. Hopefully this will be complete by the time we reach the Santa Season, details of which can be here. As ever, get in touch here.  

Prometheus gets its railway back! Moseley Railway Trust accepts track donation from National Grid

In 2013, the Moseley Railway Trust took receipt of a battery powered electric locomotive following donation by National Grid. This locomotive was used at the National Grid’s cable tunnels at Woodhead, high in the Pennines.  The Woodhead tunnels were originally built to carry mainline trains from Sheffield to Manchester. This led to the battery locomotive being nick-named “Prometheus” by Trust members – after one of the mainline locomotives which used to operate through the Woodhead Tunnel.

“Prometheus” is now a popular member of the Trust locomotive fleet. The National Grid has continued its project in the Woodhead cable tunnels, and this led to the railway track upon which “Prometheus” operated also becoming available. The Moseley Railway Trust is therefore delighted to have taken delivery from Woodhead of some 500 metres of 2’0” gauge track and three sets of points from Woodhead. This track, in good condition, will be used by the Trust when it commences construction of the next phase of the passenger carrying Apedale Light Railway further along the Apedale Community Country Park.
Phil Robinson, MRT Chairman said “Once again, we are indebted to National Grid and their continued support of our work to develop the site and railway at Apedale. It’s unusual to have a locomotive in preservation operating on the same track which it used when in industry – it’s just that both loco and track have moved 60 miles from the Peak District to North Staffordshire. Our volunteers are very much looking forward to putting this track to good use”.
David Smith, who is looking after the Woodhead Tunnels for National Grid said “This track and loco have served us well for many years and we are very pleased that they can continue in useful service … hopefully for many years to come.”

As ever, get in touch with us here.