Bulleid Pacific’s boiler lifted for the first time in 61 years!
ON OCTOBER 2, the boiler belonging to Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific No. 35011 General Steam Navigation was lifted from the frames for the first time since 1959, representing a key milestone in the 4- 6- 2’ s restoration at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
Built by North British in Glasgow in January 1941, the boiler has been attached to the ex- Barry scrapyard locomotive since its last overhaul at Eastleigh in July 1959.
The boiler lift followed a successful fundraising ‘ sponsor an inch or more’ campaign, and prize draw, to cover the cost of the crane hire. A fully tubed boiler weighs 24 tons, but this was reduced to 18 tons, thanks to the efforts of volunteers, who removed the tubes.
While the crane was on site at Blunsdon, it was also used to separate the trailing truck from the frames as this will soon be moving off site to be fully restored.
Bogie
It was decided to leave the front bogie in place for now – as, among other reasons, the society is not in a position where it can make the locomotive immobile.
The weight of the front end of the locomotive would require packing to be installed behind the bufferbeam in order to prevent the possibility No. 35011 pivoting on its front drive axle. If the 4- 6- 2 had a crank axle in place alongside the rear drive wheel, it would have created a counter weight to balance the locomotive without either the bogie or trailing truck needing to be in place. It was therefore decided that the safest option was to remove the trailing truck and leave the bogie in place as this allows the locomotive to be pushed back undercover once the lifts have been completed.
“It’s a very exciting time for everyone involved in the No. 35011 General Steam Navigation restoration project,” said Andy Collett, chairman of the General Steam Navigation Community Interest Company.
“The removal of the boiler is a big turning point as it allows us to commence the restoration of the chassis, which will be a big project in itself, taking several years to complete.”
Swindon & Cricklade Railway vice chairman Allan Bott said: “It’s great to see No. 35011 take the next big step in its restoration journey. It brings a much- needed boost following our forced closure due to Covid- 19. With the line having reopened to passenger services on October 4, our visitors can now come and see No. 35011’ s progress following the successful boiler lift.”
Work on the Pacific will now be directed to the restoration of the chassis and the group is seeking funds to help overhaul the front bogie and trailing truck wheelsets.
Next step
The work is likely to be undertaken by South Devon Railway Engineering and it is estimated that the trailing truck axle will be sent to Buckfastleigh later in the year. However, the society is appealing for well- wishers to help fund the £ 3500 cost.
Other work recently undertaken has included the removal of the springs which attach to the centre driving wheels. A preliminary visual inspection suggests they are in good condition considering their age.
The stripping down has also seen the right- hand side piston and cover being removed. These have been put into storage and their condition will be assessed in due course.
Further components have been purchased, including a speedo drive, a cut off indicator quadrant and part of the steam turbo generator. The parts formed part of an enthusiast’s collection, who offered them to the society for a reasonable sum.
The GSN Restoration Society aims to restore the Pacific to its original as- built condition as No. 21c11/ 35011, complete with air- smooth casing and Bulleid’s unique chain driven valve gear. Retro- converting a Merchant Navy has long been debated since the days of Barry scrapyard, with
11 of the 30 members of the class surviving the cutter’s torch. General Steam Navigation arrived at Barry in June 1966 with most of its running gear missing and critically, no crank axle. Accordingly, GSN finds itself in a somewhat unique position compared to its sisters, as the cost of restoring it to either rebuilt or original condition are fairly similar.
Donations can be made online via the society’s Justgiving page at www. justgiving. com/ crowdfunding/ 35011wheelsets or via cheque payable to: ‘ General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society’ and posted to GSNLRS, 58 Treveneague Gardens, Plymouth, PL2 3SX. More details about the project can be found at www. 35011gsn. co. uk ➜ See also Heritage Modeller News page 70 and Next Stop page 98.