Crank Axle, Engineering Update, Other News, Trailing Truck Transformers

General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society awards contract for Trailing Truck restoration and confirm the grade of steel for new crank axle.

At the Annual General Meetings of the General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society (GSNLRS) and General Steam Navigation CIC we were delighted to announce that following the removal of the trailing truck from the frames in October 2020 and months of preparatory work by their hard working volunteers, that the restoration contract for the trailing truck has been awarded after a tender process to North Norfolk Railway Engineering.

Located at Weybourne Engineering works, North Norfolk Railway Engineering presented a strong bid for the work, with a high level of engineering detail, that respects the historical merit of the unique in preservation fabricated Merchant Navy trailing truck.

Originally fitted to a series 3 Merchant Navy, our fabricated trailing truck is the last survivor of its kind. Lighter than the cast truck fitted to the other preserved Merchant Navy locomotives, longer than a Light Pacific’s truck, the GSNLRS are having this unique piece of Bulleid locomotive design restored to mainline standard, a crucial step towards GSNLRS’s vision of an original Merchant Navy with original air smoothed casing and Bulleid’s patented chain driven valve gear.

Funding for the Trailing Truck restoration has been via our Trailing Truck Transformers Fund Club and ‘Lots’ being available for purchase to join the club. Membership of our Trailing Truck Transformer Fund Club is still available, for details click here.

For more information on the North Norfolk Railway go to: www.nnrailway.co.uk

Crank Axle Steel Selection

Since 1966, 35011 has been without it’s central crank axle. Alongside the missing valve gear, this has been the driving force behind the decision to return to original design condition, due to the cost of replacement to either design being similar.
After many years of behind-the-scenes research in the BPLA collection & National Archive in Kew, and recent detailed Finite Element Analysis conducted at the University of Birmingham, under the supervision of Professor Karl Dearn, has demonstrated that A4T steel is of a suitable grade for the correct balanced crank axle design for 35011 in original design condition.

The stress report of the balanced design maximum stress reduced by 23%

This means the GSNLRS can proceed to final design of the central axle & balancing of the motion, and the order placement for the steel in the coming months and moving the project further forwards to a functioning original Merchant Navy once more.
For more information on the University of Birmingham FEA Project outcomes  click  here:

These two announcements are major steps forward for the General Steam Navigation Restoration Society, for more information on how you can help support  the project click here.

#OnThisDay

#OnThisDay The last Bournemouth Belle 9th July

#OnThisDay  in 1967 the last Bournemouth Belle ran direct between London Waterloo and Bournemouth Central.

The Belle was a train formed of Pullman stock that first ran on Sunday 5 July 1931 and was one of the most famous named trains on the Southern region. The service originally was only scheduled to run during the summer months however due its great success the service was extended to run on all weekends and summer weekdays and in 1936, it became a year-round daily service.

35011 Hauling the Bournemouth Belle through Eastleigh (c) Geoff Dowling www.flickr.com/photos/geoffsimages/

When the Bournemouth Belle was reintroduced after the Second World War the service saw some major changes. The Southern Railway realised that the potential traffic to Southampton and its cruise ship terminals were too important to miss out on so additional stop at Southampton Central was added. The other major change to the service was the introduction of Oliver Bulleids faster and more powerful Merchant Navy class locomotives including our engine General Steam Navigation, that was a regular locomotive recorded as to haul the service. The size of the train grew considerably after the war with up to twelve Pullman cars weighing almost 500 tons tare weight combined with the requirement of fast acceleration and high top speed the Merchant Navys had a train were they could show off there best qualities. During the final days of steam, in the summer of 1967, the Merchant Navy power gave way to Class 47 diesels which worked the service until its demise.

British Railways: Today and Tomorrow.” Merchant Navy no. 35015 “Rotterdam Lloyd” leaves Waterloo with the Bournemouth Belle.

Sunday, 9th July 1967 was a historic day as as well as the last Bournemouth Belle it was  to be the final day of both steam traction’ on the Western Section main line.  To mark the occasion the  Southern Region had announced that the last day of this famous Pullman train would feature steam haulage. At the eleventh hour, higher management in British Railways thwarted this proposal, and the final ‘’Bournemouth Belle’’ services were hauled by Brush Type 4 No. D1924 (later Class 47 No. 47247).

General Steam Navigation was a often found hauling the Bournemouth Belle during her service career. One day the Society would love to recreate this on the mainline but to this we need your help. The Trailing Truck Transformers funding group continues to be our primary fundraising campaign with its objective of funding the restoration of GSNs trailing truck. The Society is pleased with the initial number of members who have signed up for blocks but are under no illusions that its still along way from being funded. We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a ‘Lot’ for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many ‘Lots’ as they wish up to the maximum target amount.

Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:

  • Certificate of membership of the ‘Trailing Truck Transformers’
  • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
  • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
  • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.

For details on how to become a Trailing Truck Transformer please click here.

Thank you

#OnThisDay

#OnThisDay 35011s rebuild was completed and gained boiler 1097

35011 on 13/02/1962 at Eastleigh. Copyright John Turner (https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue-diesels/)
#OnThisDay in 1959, General Steam Navigation re-entered service after rebuilding from it’s original form, which we are working to reverse. Attached to it was boiler 1097, one of the ten North British Boilers (of which 3 survive), and had seen service previously with Union Castle, Shaw Savill, and East Asiatic Company. It was kept with General Steam Navigation until withdrawal, and is now in our possession. Before we took ownership, the superheater header and elements were removed, we have since removed all the large tubes and the majority of the small tubes from the boiler, as well as the ash pans from the firebox. The boiler was lifted from the frames in October 2020, since when we have started on cleaning the inside of the boiler and firebox, prepping them for inspection later this year.
The original boiler fitted to General Steam Navigation, 1100, was the first Bulleid pacific boiler manufactured at Eastleigh. After removal from General Steam Navigation in 1947, it was used on Nederland Line, British India Line,, Peninsular & Oriental S.N. Co, French Line C.G.T, and Bibby Line. Unfortunately the first Merchant Navy boiler manufactured at Eastleigh was the only Merchant Navy boiler scrapped there, in 1965.
The Trailing Truck Transformers funding group continues to be our primary fundraising campaign with its objective of funding the restoration of GSNs trailing truck. The Society is pleased with the initial number of members who have signed up for blocks but are under no illusions that its still along way from being funded. We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a ‘Lot’ for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many ‘Lots’ as they wish up to the maximum target amount.
Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:
  • Certificate of membership of the ‘Trailing Truck Transformers’
  • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
  • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
  • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.
For details on how to become a Trailing Truck Transformer please click here.
Thank you
Anniversaries

5 years of owning GSN

It was 5 years ago today that locomotive 35011 General Steam Navigation was officially signed over to the General Steam Navigation CIC. In the subsequent 5 years an incredible amount of work has been accomplished by our dedicated team of volunteers and supporters. The Society would like to take this chance to thank everyone who has ever been involved with the project for all there hardwork, passion and support. It is as a result of this progress the Society is more confident than ever before and together we will put the Steam back into General Steam Navigation.
You can join our efforts to restore this mighty beast by becoming a member in our Society for only £15 a year. You can find out more on our website https://35011gsn.co.uk/membership.html
Thank you
Monthly updates

June 2021 Update

June 2021 Update

 

Progress continues with removing the castings on the frames that were used to support the Walschaerts valve gear.  A number of bolts from the larger frame castings were cleaned up and removed, unfortunately all the remaining bolts have been tack welded by BR and will required to be ground or burnt off.
The brake cylinders between the frames were freed and removed, and the front brake cross arm and brake support were dropped onto the floor under the loco. This has to be removed as it gets in the way of removing the two large front brackets which also need to come off. The two front brake arms and blocks on the frames were also freed up, but three nuts on one side require the split pins removing before we can get them off.
Also removed was the front left hand side bogie splasher, which has been marked up and stored. The plan with the frames is to get all the larger castings ready for removal, then at a working weekend later in the year draw the chassis forward and use a small crane to lift them off safely.

Work continues with converting the BPLA drawings of the frames & valve gear into CAD to allow us to have replacement parts manufactured. This is a lengthy process, but one that is vital for our goal of re-engineering the existing frames to a condition where they can accommodate the original chain-driven valve gear and replacing the middle cylinder. In time we will also have the drawings of the smokebox and air-smoothed casing transferred to CAD for the same reason. At this point the CAD of the replacement frame stretchers has been completed, a significant milestone for this project, as it allows us to look towards costing and manufacturing these vital new parts. Whilst 35011’s frames have the existing stretchers, these would need detaching to replace the middle cylinder, and they were heavily altered during the rebuilding process and would need significant alteration to accommodate the Bulleid chain-driven valve gear and oil-bath, so the decision has been taken to replace them. You can donate to our work on the frames by contributing to our ‘Putting funds into the frames’ appeal.

Following the boiler lift last October, the remains of the tubes have nearly all been removed. At the working weekend on the 10/11th April the mud door was removed to enable the removal of all the built up debris and rust, whilst 50 of the remaining small tube ends were also removed, leaving just a few to clear now. The focus in the forthcoming working weekends will be to complete the small tube end removal, removing rust from inside the firebox and general cleaning of the boiler and firebox prior to a planned inspection later this year.

The Trailing Truck Transformers funding group continues to be our primary fundraising campaign with its objective of funding the restoration of GSNs trailing truck. The Society is pleased with the initial number of members who have signed up for ‘Lots’ but are under no illusions that its still along way from being funded. We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a ‘Lot’ for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many ‘Lots’ as they wish up to the maximum target amount.

Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:

  • Certificate of membership of the ‘Trailing Truck Transformers’
  • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
  • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
  • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.

For details on how to become a Trailing Truck Transformer click here.

We understand that £500 is a lot of money and for people who wish to support the trailing truck but are unable to join the Trailing Truck Transformers club you can help us by donating to our Wheel Set appeal on our JustGiving page here.

Bossman Games

Earlier in the year Bossman Games kindly sponsored the cost of a new regulator handle for General Steam Navigation. Now Bossman Games, purveyors of quality add-ons for Train Simulator, have released a new addition to enable you to get behind the regulator of an Original condition Merchant Navy locomotive. The pack which feature all 30 members of the class, authentic liveries with 3 build variations, 3 different tender types and much much more will keep players entertained for hours. You can purchase the add on from their website here.

Smoke & Steam.
Looking for something new to read?
Have a look at this brand new publication Smoke & Steam. Join us across some of the most famous – and not so famous –routes, featuring locomotive legends. with in-depth articles, explaining some of the most important moments of Britain’s railway history from a variety of eras and regions, accompanied by rare or never-before printed photography.  35011 General Steam Navigation is the topic of an article written by one of our Trustees. Order you paper copy here  or to download the digital copy click here .

Exclusive Weekend break to Preserved railways lines

Join the Travel Club on this exclusive weekend break to raise funds for the General Steam Navigation Locomotive project and Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
Your day begins with a journey from Cricklade to the East Lancashire Railway before continuing to our hotel for 3 nights the Best Western Guide Post Hotel on a half board basis. We include excursions to the Bolton & Embsay, North Yorkshire Moors Railways & East Lancashire Railway + National Railway Museum (York)
Joining points for this coach will be Devizes, Melksham, Chippenham and Blunsdon on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

 

The Society has been paid £49.68 through EasyFundraising. Thanks to everyone who helped to raise these funds. If you’re not supporting 35011 General Steam Navigation, please sign up now. It takes 2 minutes & 4,300+ shops will donate to us for free every time you shop with them! You can sign up using the link here. By signing up to EasyFundraising you’ll be able to help restore GSN without any costs or hassle to you.

 

Annual General Meeting
As mentioned last month the fifth Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Saturday 31st July 2021 at Blunsdon railway station on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway at 1pm. Following the cancelation of last years physical AGM due to Covid 19 and the need to switch to a proxy event the Society are confident that this year’s event will go ahead, although this is still depend on Governmental guidance.  The AGM will be the first that most of you will have had the chance to get to see the engine following her boiler lift last Autumn and to view the work that has continued since that time. It is planned that once the society AGM has been completed the CIC’s will take place with the shareholders. Shareholders will be contacted separately in this matter. We would appreciate those considering attending the AGM to contact the Society so that we can gauge the likely numbers of attendees to help ensure a Covid safe event for everyone.

The 35011 Twenty Twenty Club winners have been drawn for May.

Congratulations go to:
May 2021- 1st Prize – Andrew Collett,
2nd Prize – Chris Mileman,
3rd Prize – David Oborn

The Twenty Twenty Club is a great way to help raise funds for the locomotive and at the same time have a little bit of fun. We still have the last few places remaining find out how to join here.

As always thank you for your continued support.

Monthly updates

May 2021 Update

May 2021 Update

 

The fifth Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Saturday 31st July 2021 at Blunsdon railway station on the Swindon and Cricklade Railway at 1pm. Following the cancelation of last years physical AGM due to Covid 19 and the need to switch to a proxy event the Society are confident that this year’s event will go ahead, although this is still depend on Governmental guidance.  The AGM will be the first that most of you will have had the chance to get to see the engine following her boiler lift last Autumn and to view the work that has continued since that time. It is planned that once the society AGM has been completed the CIC’s will take place with the shareholders. Shareholders will be contacted separately in this matter. We would appreciate those considering attending the AGM to contact the Society so that we can gauge the likely numbers of attendees to help ensure a Covid safe event for everyone.

Issue 15 of the Packet is at the printers and due to be sent out to our members by the end of the month. The 28 page issue features a huge update from the engineering team looking at the trailing truck, frames, boiler and crank axle. The issue has the latest news on our AGM, membership, podcast, fundraising coach trip, our 00 gauge wagons, more 35011 performance logs and an article looking at the early days of the GSNLRS. 2021 is shaping up to be a very important year for the project with some big goals in mind. You can help support us in many ways if you are not already a Society member: you can sign up for membership for currently only £15 per year here, or donate to the Society here or even better become a shareholder here.

The Society have recently received a donation of several scaffolding boards to help our volunteers to work safely on the locomotive. Allen and Foxworthy Ltd based in Swindon are Her Majesty The Queen’s scaffolding contractor with a royal warrant. The Society would like to thank Allen and Foxworthy for their support.

Work on the engine at Swindon has resumed with efforts focusing on the boiler and the trailing truck. A full update will be featured in the Packet. The weekend did see two of our newest recruits Jack and Geoff continued cleaning the boiler and inner firebox. If you’d like to get involved no matter what skills you have we can use your help. Please contact our volunteer liaison officer Mr Andrew Collett at andrew.collett@35011gsn.co.uk.

The Trailing Truck Transformers funding group continues to be our primary fundraising campaign with its objective of funding the restoration of GSNs trailing truck. The Society is pleased with the initial number of members who have signed up for ‘Lots’ but are under no illusions that its still along way from being funded. We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a ‘Lot’ for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many ‘Lots’ as they wish up to the maximum target amount.

Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:

  • Certificate of membership of the ‘Trailing Truck Transformers’
  • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
  • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
  • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.

For details on how to become a Trailing Truck Transformer click here.

We understand that £500 is a lot of money and for people who wish to support the trailing truck but are unable to join the Trailing Truck Transformers club you can help us by donating to our Wheel Set appeal on our JustGiving page here.

The 35011 Twenty Twenty Club winners have been drawn for March and April.

Congratulations go to:

April 2021- 1st Prize – Steve Rapley, 2nd Prize – Andrew Stokes , 3rd Prize – Simon Strachan

March 2021- 1st Prize – Paul Millard, 2nd Prize – Simon Strachan, 3rd Prize – John Anthony Jackson

The Twenty Twenty Club is a great way to help raise funds for the locomotive and at the same time have a little bit of fun. We still have the last few places remaining find out how to join here.

As always thank you for your continued support.

Monthly updates

March 2021 Update

March 2021 Update

 

The membership fees for 2020/21 have risen slightly, to £15 for single members and £25 for joint  membership (two members, same address and receiving just one Packet). This as a result of ever increasing costs and brings us in line with fellow projects of our size. Following several requests, the Board have agreed to offer Life Memberships. The costs of these are shown below;

Under 60 Over 60 Under 60 Over 60
Single £500 £300 Joint £800 £500

If you’re interested in a life membership or have any membership queries please contact our Membership Secretary at C.mileman@35011GSN.co.uk

As mentioned separately earlier this month The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society feature in the latest Railway Mania podcast, episode 17. The 90-minute podcast features three of the Society Trustees,  Andrew Collett, Steve Rapley (CME) and Graham Muspratt with Corwin Bainbridge discussing our project to restore General Steam Navigation back to original condition complete with Bulleid’s chain driven valve gear and air smoothed casing. The podcast has received some incredible feedback and is highly recommended that everyone interested in the project do take a listen.

 

Our brand new Limited Edition 00 Gauge Conflat wagons, with two different colour container options, produced in cooperation with the Medway Queen Preservation Society, are now available to purchase via our online shop here.

The Society has added to two articles sent by Alan Peake to our website.  His father, Bill, was MD of New Medway Steam Packet Company which had been taken over by the GSN Shipping Line before the last war.  The first tells the story of Bill’s life associated with Company and the second is a talk given by Bill to the London and Home Counties branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1961 about living with the ‘Paddlers’. If there is any interest amongst the membership (or others known to the group, perhaps) in purchasing photos of the Shipping Company’s ships, Alan has many that he can supply and has kindly offered the proceeds to our Society’s funds.  Please contact Alan directly via email here for further details. You can find Alan Peake’s articles in our Memories and Recollections section here.

Crested Eagle (pictured right with the Royal Eagle on the left on the buoys off Tower Pier on 19th May 1934)

The Society has started sharing  #OnThisDay posts marking significate anniversaries in General Steam Navigations history. February featured two historical dates with her naming ceremony at Waterloo in 1945 on the 20th and her return to service in 1955 following modifications resulting from the Crewkerne incident on the 19th. These posts have proved popular and the Society will continue to post them over the coming months when such anniversaries appear.

Work has continued on the CAD modelling thanks to the hard work of James Pearce and James Conway. We are concentring on the bogie in preparation for restoring it later on the year subject to funding and the completion of the trailing truck.

The Trailing Truck Transformers funding group continues to be our primary fundraising campaign with its objective of funding the restoration of GSNs trailing truck. The Society is pleased with the initial number of members who have signed up for blocks but are under no illusions that its still along way from being funded. We are offering a maximum of 30 members the opportunity to purchase a ‘Lot’ for £500. Members are welcome to purchase as many ‘Lots’ as they wish up to the maximum target amount.

Members of the Fund Group would receive a number of benefits including:

  • Certificate of membership of the ‘Trailing Truck Transformers’
  • Name engraved on a suitable brass plaque attached to the refurbished Trailing Truck
  • Regular updates on the refurbishment of the Trailing Truck
  • An invitation to a VIP day at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway to see the completed Trailing Truck once it is returned to the railway.

For details on how to become a Trailing Truck Transformer click here.

We understand that £500 is a lot of money and for people who wish to support the trailing truck but are unable to join the Trailing Truck Transformers club you can help us by donating to our Wheel Set appeal on our JustGiving page here.

The 35011 Twenty Twenty Club winners have been drawn for February.

Congratulations go to:

1st Prize – Allan Bott, 2nd Prize – Paul Millard, 3rd Prize – David Taylor

The Twenty Twenty Club is a great way to help raise funds for the locomotive and at the same time have a little bit of fun. We still have the last few places remaining find out how to join here.

2021 is shaping up to be a very important year for the project with some big goals in mind. You can help support us in many ways if you are not already a Society member you can sign up for membership for currently only £15 per year here, or donate to the Society here or even better become a shareholder here.

As always thank you for your continued support.

Other News

The GSNLRS feature in Railway Mania Podcast

The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society feature in the latest Railway Mania podcast, episode 17. The 90-minute podcast features three of the Society Trustees,  Andrew Collett, Steve Rapley (CME) and Graham Muspratt with Corwin Bainbridge discussing our project to restore 21c11 / 35011 back to original condition complete with Bulleid’s chain driven valve gear and air smoothed casing.

The Podcast looks at our ambitious project in detail, the Trustees answer questions and discuss: the history of 35011; the main issues arising from the project returning her to original condition including: the missing crank axle, replacement middle cylinder, the work being undertaken in cooperation with Loughborough University and the University of Birmingham students on drafting and smoke clearing arrangements; visibility from the cab; the potential liveries and dispels some of the myths associated with casing fires.

The Railway Mania Podcast can be found here…

#OnThisDay

 #OnThisDay in 1945 GSN was named. 20th Feb

1 Comment
 #OnThisDay in 1945 General Steam Navigation was officially named at a ceremony at Waterloo station. The ceremony that took place at platform 10 was a short affair with the usual pomp and circumstance associated of the naming of a top link engine being trimmed back due to the wartime conditions. The ceremony was attended by various directors of both the Southern Railway and General Steam Navigation Co Ltd and in addition as a special tribute to the shop staff of Eastleigh who built the engine were six representatives to see there “baby” christened.
“Between your Company and ours, Mr Kelso, there is a long standing friendship, hallowed by service together in war and peace. The nameplate on this engine is a token of that friendship, and we look forward with confidence to the day when this war is won and your houseflags in ever increasing numbers enter and leave our docks.”
Col. Eric Gore Browne, the Chairman of the Southern Railway addressed these words to Mr Robert Kelso, the Chairman and Managing Director of the company whose name will be henceforth be seen on the nameplate 21C11 – General Steam Navigation.
After a quick footplate ride for Mr Kelso General Steam Navigation returned to Waterloo to get on with the serious work of doing its part to help win the war and hauled the 12:50pm West of England service out of the capital.
You can help us restore GSN by joining the General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society Membership. Membership costs £12 for the year with members being kept up to date with the latest achievements, via our members magazine ‘The Packet’ published three times a year with progress reports on GSN and articles about Merchant Navy’s and the light pacific’s, access to the locomotive when possible and the ability to get involved with the society. You can find out more by clicking this link.
#OnThisDay

#OnThisDay in 1955 returned to service following Crewkerne modifications. 19th Feb

#OnThisDay in 1955, 35011 General Steam Navigation left Eastleigh works to re-enter service with the British Railways Southern Region following major repair work. The modifications that were carried out to the entire Merchant Navy class were as a result of 35020 Bibby Lines accident at Crewkerne.

On the 24th April 1953, Bibby Line whilst on approach to Crewkerne station fractured her crank axle at high speed. Luckily no one was injured, but the incident resulted in the withdrawal of all Merchant Navy class locomotives from service whilst the cause of the failure was ascertained. An examination of other class members showed that the fracture, caused by metal fatigue, was a common fault. This led to a complete redesign of the crank axle and once installed saw the locomotives return to traffic. General Steam Navigation would continue to haul trains in her original condition until 7th June 1959 when she entered Eastleigh works for rebuilding.

The crank axle continues to be a significant challenge for our project, but without this challenge we would not be pursuing the goal of restoration as an original Merchant Navy. Aided by significant insight from Andrew Marshall (35006 group), we have clarity on the design of axle we should be aiming to have fabricated. This is the redesigned, balanced crank axle that was eventually fitted to all the Merchant Navy locomotives following the Crewkerne incident. Records suggest 35019 had the balanced crank axle fitted 4 years prior to rebuilding, so we can demonstrate it is applicable to our locomotive. We have studied the report into the Crewkerne incident, to help inform our decisions with the axle. We have had insight and support on the axle material from the wider heritage industry, including our friends at the A1/P2 trust and the Clan Project, both of whom have had similar issues of design to overcome. We are missing some of the drawings for the revised design, and we are also evaluating the correct and certifiable grade of steel to use, but our aim is to have the new crank axle ordered at least in 2021, if not manufactured. FEA studies of the design are underway at the University of Birmingham

Our current immediate objective is to restore her unique trailing truck which has led to the Trailing Truck Transformers Fund Club being set up to fund restoration of this unique component in 2021. You can find out how to join the exclusive club by visiting our website on the link below. Thank you
https://35011gsn.co.uk/funding…/trailing-truck-club.html

Photo: GSN leaving Exmouth Junction Shed on 5/9/57. The locomotive is believed to be heading to Exeter Central to work an up service (Copyright Brian Marshall)

Montly updates from the 35011 project