TransLogistics

Transport and Logistics Network

Engineering specialists Leaky Finders acquire its own steam …

The engineering specialists [1] Ltd, from Exeter in Devon, who have many years of experience in boiler making, machining, fabrication and painting of steam locomotives, has now acquired its own locomotive in the form of Great Western Railway 5700 Class 0-6-0 pannier tank steam locomotive No. 9629.

The locomotive was built at the famous GWR works at Swindon in 1945, and saw service at depots in South Wales at Cardiff Canton, Cardiff East Dock, and Pontypool Road, as well as at Oswestry in Shropshire and Exeter in Devon. Its last depot was at Pontypool Road, from where it was withdrawn from British Railways service in October 1964.

5700 Class No. 9629 in British Railways days. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

5700 Class No. 9629 in British Railways days. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

5700 Class No. 9629 in British Railways days. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

Although 9629 escaped the cutter’s torch at the now infamous Barry scrap yard and was saved for preservation, since then it has never been steamed.

The new owners are very fortunate that 9629’s previous owners amassed a considerable amount of the components necessary to bring it back into service, as well spares and many of the wooden patterns that are necessary in order to be able to cast new components.

The boiler of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

The boiler of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

The boiler of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

Over the next few weeks Leaky Finders expects to take delivery of both locomotive and the assortment of parts at its Exeter workshops. Once restored, 9629 will feel at home as Exeter was its home for seven years in British Railways days.

The intention is that it will be offered for hire, and as the class was renowned for being reasonably strong and economical, 9629 should prove useful for nearly any heritage railway in the country.

The driving wheels of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

The driving wheels of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

The driving wheels of 5700 Class No. 9629 waiting for overhaul. // Credit: Leaky Finders Ltd.

Leaky Finders plan to start the restoration of 9629 sometime next year, once it has completed repairs to Southern Region Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific Class No. 35028 Clan Line.

References

  1. ^ (www.railadvent.co.uk)

Tags: