This is a brief account of the restoration of Port Line from a 'Barry Wreck' to a working steam locomotive. A much fuller account is given in the book, 'Barry Scrapyard: The Preservation Miracle' by Alan Warren.
The scheme to save 'Port Line' followed the classic Barry rescue story, namely, an enthusiast's desire to see a much loved steam engine returned to its former glory. At the time, many 'experts' considered the restoration of 'Port Line' to be an impossible task!
The locomotive was purchased in January 1982 for £6500 but it was not able to be moved from Barry until December. There also remained the problem of a suitable base for restoration. Not surprisingly, none of the established railways were willing to take on another locomotive and an unknown group of people.
An offer of a base had been made at the North Downs Steam Railway site but this proved unsuitable for a number of reasons. Fortunately the Swindon & Cricklade Railway were pleased to accept 35027 and it was finally delivered to Blunsdon just before Christmas 1982. It was the 142nd engine to leave the Barry Scrapyard.
The first task facing the group in 1983 was the complete dismantling of the locomotive and this was largely achieved by September of that year. The locomotive had been purchased without a tender but in October 1983 the group bought the last remaining Bulleid tender still at Barry. This had originally been purchased for use in the restoration of 34053 'Sir Keith Park' and had spent its working life paired with 35006 'Peninsular & Oriental SN Co'. The tender was to cost the project £9000 (more than the engine!)
Port Line is dismantled at Blunsdon in 1983
An important turning point in the project was a meeting at Camden Town Hall in December 1983. Here the decision was taken to expand the ownership base of 'Port Line' by offering for sale an initial block of 180 shares in the locomotive at £250 each. The plan contained three key elements: actual part ownership of 35027, the option of paying over a period of 50 months and guaranteed access to the locomotive and its footplate at all reasonable times.
The share issue was a resounding success and undoubtedly was a major factor in ensuring 'Port Line's' speedy restoration. In addition to providing essential finances it also provided a steady stream of essential on-site workers. Many working days would see up to thirty volunteers working on the locomotive.
Most of the major engineering tasks were completed during the next two and a half years. Off-site specialist tasks included re-profiling of the wheels, machining of journals and crank pins, white metalling and machining of axleboxes, re-bushing of valve gear, manufacture of new motion pins, refurbishment of the reverser and a vast amount of casting and machining of new parts. At Blunsdon grit-blasting of the frames and boiler was followed by extensive welding of the cab sub-frame, smokebox, tender and many other items. By the end of 1985 the frames had been re-wheeled to be followed by the assembly of the pistons, slide bars and the motion. Other tasks included the fitting of seemingly miles of copper tubing required for lubrication, steam pipes, vacuum pipes, and boiler injectors together with their associated pipework.
The project received assistance from the Austin Rover Young People's Training School who manufactured various fittings, most notably the cab and running plate. They also assisted with the manufacture of the boiler and firebox cladding.
Towards the end of 1987, following the closure of Swindon Works and its subsequent purchase by Tarmac, the project managed to secure a restoration base in the former works weighbridge thanks to the generosity of the new owners. The locomotive was moved from Blunsdon to Swindon, the weighbridge proving to be an almost ideal restoration base.
The boiler was sent to 'Sail & Steam' for refurbishment and once this was returned in January 1988 the final assembly of the locomotive commenced. The first milestone was passed on the 20th February 1988 when the boiler was lit for the first time in nearly 22 years.
Port Line's boiler is lit up for the first time in 22 years on 20th February 1988 as Swindon's famous 'A' shop is demolished in the background
The next day saw the boiler pressure raised to maximum followed by the official BR steam test one week later. Another historic day was the 15th April 1988 when 'Port Line' moved under her own power for the first time in 22 years. The following day 'Port Line' was again in steam for the Bulleid Owners AGM.
Port Line moves under its own power for the first time since 1966
The locomotive had been booked to appear at the 'Woking 150' celebrations at the end of May and the race against time to finish the multitude of outstanding tasks commenced with many of the project members working almost full time on the engine. Fortunately the race was won, but only just, as it was still being painted when the low loader arrived. 'Port Line' left Swindon for Woking where it was one of the star exhibits.
Port Line at Woking 150
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