Sanding, flatting and priming has taken place on one side of the loco to prepare it for final painting into BR Blue. More welding is required on the other side before it can get similar treatment. Below we see Steve ‘Slewy’ Jones in attack mode with the sanding wheel.

Work is also underway to clean and prepare the radiator room for a coat of paint whilst the radiators are removed for repairs. A large crack was found in the manifold of one bank and this is being repaired for us by the LR Engineering Department. Below we see Andy and Gareth at work in the radiator room complete with mood lighting. It’s not normally this spacious – or clean – or quiet – in here!

37240 now resembles a patchwork quilt as can be seen below as she is hauled out of the shed by D5310, but the final result will be well worth the thorough preparation.

Meanwhile D5310 was out working a four trip ECS driver training special today. She performed perfectly and allowed one of the railway’s staff to get some traction knowledge so he can use the loco for ‘thunderbird’ duties at short notice.

The BRCW Type 2 is seen leaving River Sidings in the morning and then crossing Pannier No 6430 at Glyndyfrdwy in the afternoon.

Having spent a working life surrounded by plenty of snow and cold weather North of the border, D5310 was not phased by the big freeze  and started without any problems.  She then worked an inspection trip to Berwyn tunnel to examine the line and clear the enormous icicles which always form in the tunnel during such conditions.

Thanks to Simon Searle for the photos. First we see the 26 on arrival at Berwyn.

Then cautiously approaching the tunnel….

And with good reason, my word:

And if you thought they were impressive, check these out on the Chain Bridge. By ‘eck!

D1566 and 37240 are fully drained down, with the 47 appearing fine. Unfortunately 37240 looks to have sustained further damage from the cold, the pipe gaskets which failed last year looking to have forced their way out of the joints again. Another job to do while the radiators are being repaired.

Please keep an eye on the Llangollen Railway website for the latest news.

Next, the fan module was lifted clear using the crane:

With the roof section removed the radiators then followed suit and are seen ready to be moved into the shed for repair and being beautifully modelled by Messrs Smales, Evans and Jones. Rad VEG!

The empty radiator room – which will now be cleaned and painted.

Cheers to Colin “Bryn, where are my keys” Cooper for the phots.

Tez Pickthall

Many thanks to Peter Cheshire for the excellent photos.  First we see her on her way through Acrefair. The rainbow seems very apt;  as one rather sad chapter closes, a new and happier one begins.

And then making her way slowly through Rossett on the A483.

Good luck in your new life old girl. You really are a true survivor!

More photos and information can be found on the Western 46 Group website at http://46010.co.uk/, to whom we wish every success at their new home in Leicestershire.

Cheers

Tez Pickthall, Publicity Officer

We’re pleased to be able to confirm that Class 46 No 46010 will soon be moving to a new home at the Great Central Railway (North), at Ruddington, Leicestershire. The announcement (along with lots more information about this impressive heritage line) can be found here: http://217.158.157.207/railways/GCRN-Diesel/news.htm.

We can also confirm that the ‘Peak’  will be cared for by a new owning group; The Western 46 Group, formed of 4 former members of the LDG. The new group takes its name from the fact that 46010 is the only surviving Western Region allocated class 46 ‘Peak’, having been allocated to Plymouth Laira depot until being withdrawn for storage at Swindon in 1980.

The Group have launched a new website for the loco. Have a look at http://46010.co.uk

The Western 46 Group will be looking for plenty of additional support in the future, so please have a look at their website and register your interest. The LDG hopes to retain close links with the Group and it goes without saying that we wish them every success at their new home.

Whilst the LDG are very sad to see 46010 leave the railway, we’re happy that she’s going to the GCRN along with a very dedicated bunch of supporters who will secure her future. The GCRN is an excellent railway and being and ex-main line, she will look most at home working there. The presence of an NR connection should also allow her to visit other heritage lines in the future, something that has not been possible while she has been at Llan.

The loco was scheduled to leave Llangollen on Monday 23rd November, but we’ve just heard that roadworks in Cheshire has delayed this. Further updates will be made when we know the revised departure date.

Tez Pickthall, Publicity Officer

We think we have sorted the niggling engine shutdown issue on the 26. Careful study of the electrical drawings and systematic testing of several components on the engine run circuit identified an intermittent fault on a circuit breaker mounted in the side of the electrical cubicle. With this breaker isolated, slamming the cubicle door no longer shuts the loco down! The breaker will now be replaced.

The BRCW Type 2 has also had a replacement AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) fitted, a job we had expected to do when we purchased the loco. We suspected that the locos original unit was overcharging the batteries and auxillary systems and voltage measurements taken today confirmed this. The replacement unit was fitted (causing a few hernias in the process as they’re rather heavy and are mounted on top of the cubicle!) and was tested at the correct charging voltage over a range of engine running conditions.

Meanwhile, the coolant system on the 37 has been checked, had a suspect valve closed off and then refilled to check for leaks, with only a couple of minor weeps being found. The gauge glass in the header tank has been cleaned and repaired so it now shows a true reading. The EE Type 3 was successfully started and ran happily for 2 hours.

Classic Vee Exhaust trails show that 37240 is back!

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LDG members pose with the fruits of their labours - two working locos. Poor Pete E missed out on the photo as he was still inside D5310, dutifully checking the new AVR was behaving itself!

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With static testing successfully completed, we decided to take both locos on a test run to Glyndyfrdwy and back to prove out the repairs. The run took place in the dark after the last service train and was rather fruity to say the least, with 37240 sounding awesome and putting on a characteristic Tractor firework display, complete with cones of flame from the exhaust ports as she cleared her lungs.

37240, ready to head for Glyn under a clear sky and bright moon (no sparks just yet).

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No shutdown problems were encountered, but she will need to complete a return trip of the whole line before she can get a clean bill of health. D5310 then worked back to Llangollen, passing over the rail joint on Berwyn Banks that has invoked an engine shutdown virtually every time she’s been out so far without incident.

D5310 is now likely to be used on a November ballast working when the railway will be visited by a Tamper.  A good day all in all, particularly as we were able to welcome a certain Mr Colin Cooper back into the chair to resume driver training after a very nasty dose of swine flu. Sorry Chief, but you struck the pose….

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Cheers

Tez Pickthall

Mileage Accumulation Days (4 full round trips)

• Saturday 10th April
• Saturday 8th May
• Saturday 22nd May
• Saturday 5th June
• Saturday 19th June
• Saturday 10th July
• Saturday 24th July
• Saturday 18th September

Specific traction for these dates will be confirmed in the new year. With four round trips on offer from a normal Day Return ticket, these days offer the haulage enthusiast excellent value for money.

1960’s Gala: 31^st July – 1^st August

A new event for the railway featuring an intensive timetable of steam, diesel and multiple unit operation. The railway will host atmospheric sights and sounds from this legendary era, including specially prepared locos, mixed traction workings, vintage vehicles and music. Visitors will be encouraged to attend the event in period dress.

Diesel Weekend: 2^nd - 3^rd October

Making a welcome return after a two year absence, our diesel weekend will give enthusiasts the chance to sample all operational members of the LDG fleet in action. The opportunity to gain rare haulage behind the lines diesel shunter fleet is also being considered, including former Birkenhead dock shunter N^o 03162.

26010 on River Siding

Image by Mark Smales.