October 2021 Update

On Monday 11^th October, General Steam Navigation and our volunteers were featured in the first episode of the new behind the scenes documentary series looking at Hornby. Broadcasted on Yesterday ‘Hornby a Model World’ is a 10-part series following Hornby as it opens its doors to show the lengths its team of designers and engineers go to in scaling down locomotives, cars, aircraft and more to produce replica models as near perfect as possible. The first episode revolved around the development of the new Hornby Dublo General Steam Navigation and featured the Society’s efforts to restore our locomotive. The filming of the real General Steam Navigation on site at Blunsdon took place at the end of 2020 and focused on the stripping down of the frames and Trailing Truck. You can view the full episode on UKTV player here.

The Trailing Truck has left Blunsdon and has arrived at the North Norfolk Railway where it will be restored by a specialist engineering team. 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. The speed of the work is dependent on how quickly the Society can raise the funds. We do hope you consider supporting the work by joining our Trailing Truck Transformers Funding group, donating to the project or by purchasing shares in the engine.  Thank you.

Issue 16 of our membership magazine ‘The Packet’ is at the printers and will be posted out to our members in the coming weeks. The 28-page issue features a detailed update from the engineering team looking at the trailing truck, frames, boiler and crank axle. Also featured are is the latest news from our finance, membership and fundraising teams. The highly successful coach trip and N gauge models are also discussed along with the minutes from the AGM. Membership in the General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society costs £15 a year with members receiving the Packet 3 times a year, access to the locomotive and the ability to get involved with the Society. For more information please visit our dedicated membership page here.

Following on from the success of our first two Limited Edition model wagons in 00 gauge we are pleased announce a new model this time in N gauge. Once again these models have been jointly produced in cooperation with the Medway Queen Preservation Society. They are in stock now and already selling well.

The new models have been produced by Dapol Ltd. and are based on there N Gauge Gun Powder Vans with the lettering “General Steam Navigation, No. 11, Blunsdon and Gillingham Pier.” They are available in either red or blue and are priced at £11.90 each excluding post and packing.

To purchase one or more these wagons go to our online shop where you also purchase our other merchandise such as mugs, pint glasses, pens and pin badges etc.

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

Congratulations go to:
1st Prize – David Taylor ,
2nd Prize – Denise Sexton,
3rd Prize – Derek  Preece

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.

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)

MEMBERSHIP of the GSN is £15 per year click here to join today and get this holiday for the member price of £309.00.

Joining points for this coach will be Devizes, Melksham, Chippenham and Blunsdon on the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

Note: the Itinerary is subject to change, click here for full details.

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.

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.

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;

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.