73156 was purchased on November 9th 1985, transportation to Bury the following year. Regular visits to Barry were made in order to prepare her for this event and upon arrival at Bury, work started immediately on stripping the loco. Much of the work comprised de-rusting, dismantling, cleaning and assessing the removed components for re-use or as patterns for new components not covered by available drawings. It is impossible to itemise every job done during the Bury years, especially the trials and tribulations along the way, but significant progress was made.

Some major work still lies ahead, but several theatres of operation are progressing simultaneously. The boiler and cab, re-tyred wheels and fully restored frames are at Loughborough. The BR1B tender was sold off during the engine’s time at Barry, so new frames have been constructed, together with other ancillary items, at Pemberton near Wigan, using our own volunteers, and a new tender tank has been outsourced to private contractors. Wheelsets obtained from Poland for the tender are ready when required. All outstanding motion parts have been manufactures and machining of those is nearing completion. The boiler and firebox overhaul will be undertaken at Loughborough.

Work on the cab sheeting, frames, wheel cleaning and painting, as well as the machining of many components and boiler/firebox inspections summarises work at Loughborough to November 2005. Piping up and brake gear are set to start soon.

For information please contact Ian Bartlett on 01772 620115