The last few weeks have been very exciting for the team at Ropley. Our contractor has completed 499’s new eccentric rods, meaning we now have a complete set of parts required for the motion. Although we still need to complete further machining on some of the components, this sets us up for continued progress once the chassis is rewheeled.
Santa has also delivered another early Christmas present at Ropley. This time it was in the form of the new front tube plate for boiler No. 799. We are very grateful to everyone who has donated to our tube plate appeal. The next part of this project is to source the new angle ring. It is vital we reach our £20,000 target as quickly as possible to fund the ring and allow work at the front end of the boiler to continue.
Not content with bolting the tender coal raves in place before the end of the year, we have now riveted a significant section along the driver’s side. The curved front of the rave and the first of the beading is now also in place.
Long term members and followers of the ULS may recall that we own a third tender. This ran behind 506 during it’s period in operation in the 1990’s. It is now in the storage sidings at Ropley and the tank is beyond salvaging. However, we will be able to reuse several components. We are keeping the bogies under this tender well lubricated and plan to bring them out of storage when space allows. A further pair of tender bogies are in the sidings at Alton. Once work on the new tank of restored tender No. 3223 is complete, we will assess the work required on both bogie sets.
The Ropley workshop staff have been keeping on top of the mechanical condition of 30506. The recent piston and valve exam revealed that the valve rings were worn. The team have now replaced these ready for Steam Illuminations and the 2026 operating season.
From all of us at the Urie Locomotive Society, we wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We look forward to showcasing our progress in getting 499 back on the rails to you in 2026.
Photos courtesy of Ben Storer, Sam Wyatt, Liam Lambert and Jamie Karslake