We are delighted to announce that overhaul work on D1566 has resumed and the locomotive has moved into Llangollen shed for the winter to allow more rapid progress to be made. We are very grateful to the LR Engineering Team for making room for this large machine in a very busy works. Many thanks to Pete Edwards for the photo, taken Saturday 16th October.
Work had already begun in earnest, with bodywork preparation ready for repainting underway. Tom Shilliam is seen below sanding down a cab roof. Thanks to Paul Williams for the photo.
The locomotive will carry late 60’s/early 70’s pre-TOPs rail blue livery, running as 1566 – matching Class 37 6940. To whet your appetite here she is a little later in the rail blue era working through Hereford with the northbound 20.00hrs Cardiff-Crewe Postal train in 1983. Photo courtesy of Jamerail. We intend to turn the clock slightly further back and may reinstate headcode windows and blinds if time allows.
The work will however need to go much further than bodywork and paint. The top end power unit overhaul requires completion, although all the components required to get the Sulzer 12LDA28C water tight again have been sourced. The engine bay roof will be removed soon in order to allow repairs to corrosion of the framework. New rolled sections have been sourced and will require welding in, possibly by a specialist contractor.
Most importantly we also need to source a new of batteries – a major expenditure currently beyond our means. We would welcome support with raising funds or indeed any other aspect of the overhaul if you want to get your hands dirty – please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss how you can help!
D5310 – signing off 2015 in fine style!
A final footnote – thanks to those who supported D5310’s last running day of the year on the 26th of September. She celebrated the 6th anniversary of her passenger debut at Llangollen in style; all went well and we had super weather, bringing our 2015 running season to a satisfying close. Rhys Evans’s photo of her at Llan on Saturday makes for an interesting comparison of her at ‘Embra’ back in the 80’s. Many thanks to Guy Middleton for providing this great shot. Guy scratched 010 for haulage back when he took this photo and was then very pleased to be reunited with her at the weekend to rack up a few more miles.
