The momentous events of the 8th of July have been a long time coming for the Urie Locomotive Society. This lift of 499’s frames is a true milestone in its restoration and marks not exactly the ‘end of the beginning’ but rather the start of our final push. The extended phase of major rebuilding of the chassis is now at an end, with most outstanding work on the frames now concerning smaller fitted components such as the brake rigging and lubrication pipework.
The chassis is now reunited with its bogie (and a temporary trolley in lieu of driving wheels) in the main shed at Ropley. This allows us to progress the mechanical overhaul phase of the project; primarily renewing the horns and fitting the driving wheel axle boxes. The relocation will provide more space to work and help us see the wood from the trees where the loco is concerned.
We have also turned and moved tender 3223 to the concrete area where 499 had previously been. This will be a far better location for finishing the tank, with plenty of space to work around it. For those curious 499’s frames weighed in at 22.5 tons while the tender came in merely at nine!
On the same day we reunited 506’s repaired boiler with the loco, and two Urie S15’s were sat briefly side by side once more. To go from a failed loco with firebox leaks to a repaired and hydraulically tested boiler in just a few months has been a mammoth effort by the Ropley workshop team. One which I hope they will be proud of.
Aside from the essential repairs, the workshop staff and volunteers have complete numerous other jobs including an overhaul of the regulator valve and re-metaling of the connecting rod big ends. We are already well progressed with reassembly. Here we see work underway in the smokebox prior to the main steam pipes and blast pipe being fitted.
The Feltham shed plate is the perfect finishing touch for the BR livery transformation. We look forward to newly reminted 30506 returning to traffic in the near future.
I must end by thanking our engineering director, Barry Stratton, engineering volunteers and the Mid Hants Railway staff. Several of the team put in long hours under much pressure to make the lifts such a success. They are just part of a wider group of passionate people who, over many years have laboured away in our distant corner of Ropley yard to see 499 on the rails again. Onwards!
Photos Martin Taylor and Sam Wyatt.