The locomotive has been undergoing winter maintenance at Foxfield and is currently awaiting new brake pull-rods. Once these have been manufactured and the brake valve overhauled, the engine can be test steamed ready for his adventures for the year. The engine is visiting the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway at Ludborough on 1st to 3rd May, and will also be in steam there on Sunday 15TH May.
Then on July 16th & 17th, the engine is starring in a very special event at Moor Road on the Middleton Railway. As a “Thank You” to MRT for allowing SIR B to disappear for considerable periods of time and also working long hours to get the engine ready for the filming contract, we have agreed to allow the engine to visit MRT without any hire charge being made [MRT will be paying transport!]. Subject to everything working well, this event will see ALL of the Trust’s three locomotives together for the first time in many years! BELLEROPHON & SIR B will be hauling trains at Middleton, whilst “LORD MAYOR” will be on display during the day and all three locos will be posed together each day.
Our Manning got his 5 minutes of TV fame late last year when the TV series “Jericho” was screened – I don’t remember viaducts and green fields when we did the filming!! Since thaen the engine has been winterised and a few small jobs carried out for routine winter maintenance. The loco passed his steam test and is now available for traffic. This will be his last year in traffic before withdrawal for a full 10yr exam and overhaul, during which the smokebox will need replacement, along with a retube and some minor boiler work. The engine will be going out in a blaze of glory in July [He actually retires in October, but we are partying early!] when he takes part in Middleton’s Victorian Gala on 16th & 17th July. We will be pairing the two working VCT engines during both days and VCT members will be given free entry on production of a valid Membership Card. The engine will be taken out of service at the end of the 2016 season and then go on display at Moor Road’s Engine House until work has been completed on “Brookes No 1”, at which time he will go into works for his 10yr overhaul, expected to take around 18 months to 2 years, all being well.
Normally stationed at Ingrow, our little Hudswell will, all being well, take a trip to his birthplace for the MRT “Victorian Weekend” on 16th & 17th July so we can display ALL our steam locos together for the first time in many, many years. LORD MAYOR will be displayed outside the Engine House for most of the day, but will be posed with our other two locos each day for photos to be take. This is a very special occasion as the engine hasn’t been in Leeds since 1969 when he left for KWVR, so we are hoping it will draw some people along!! The engine will only be absent for a short period as he is an essential part of the museum’s attractions, particularly for children, so this is a very special occasion and we hope members will come along and see all our engines together.
