Austerity Saddle Tank– Restoration
In 1995, a future Southern Locomotives shareholder, Norman Taylor, purchased the locomotive and it was transferred to the Midland Railway Centre at Butterley. The hoped for help was not forthcoming and Norman exchanged it for Southern Locomotive shares in 1998, at the same time as putting up 50% of the funding to purchase Sidmouth. The Austerity was subsequently transferred to Sellindge where it was thought that the minimal facilities available would be sufficient to overhaul the locomotive, however, the splendid external condition of the boiler gave a false impression of its condition.
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No. 27, soon after arrival at Sellindge |
On dismantling it was discovered that just about every conceivable part was broken, bent or life expired, and it had obviously been derailed at some point. The cylinder block was the major concern and should really have been replaced, but we didn’t have the funds to do so. It has therefore been expertly repaired and is now ready for use.
The frames were rewheeled in November 2006 and the boiler will be made ready for re-instatement having had a new tubeplate fitted. The tubes have been ordered and will be fitted during the Winter of 2006/7. A new smokebox was rolled and this also is ready for reinstatement.
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The boiler being lifted on to a low-loader |
The small team at Sellindge should be congratulated on their persistence with this locomotive which has proved to be an extremely difficult restoration.
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The nicely restored slidebars and frames |
When restored it was fitted with a conventional exhaust. The locomotive was moved to Swanage June 2009.