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B12 BOILER APPEAL
It is 13 years since the B12
returned from Germany and steamed for the first time
since 1962.
Over those 13 years the work has been built to
gradually improve the condition of the loco which has
now run over 25,000 miles in service.
The B12’s boiler ticket expired this year and the flue
tubes are at the end of their life. The locomotive's 10 year overhaul
is now in progress. We are seeking
your help to get this completed as soon as we can.
What needs to be done?
Click
here
How you can help
Click here
B12 Boiler Appeal leaflet.
Click here
B12 main pages
Click here
CHASSIS and BOILER WORK UPDATE: October 2009.
Progress
is being made in the creation and forming of the complex
replacement shoulder pieces for the backhead, and the
preparations for their welding into place.
These shoulders have had to be swagged from 9/16" thick
boiler plate, using specially made former blocks.
Keith Ashford and the Allianz Engineering Surveyor, are
keeping an eye on the progress and will visit
Chatham, to see the new plate-work tack welded in place with
the weld prep's ahead of any final welding actually taking
place. Work is also progressing on the chassis.
CHASSIS WORK UPDATE: May 2009.
M&GN Society Engineer Keith Ashford announced “We are
sending the chassis to Ian Riley’s works for a comprehensive
assessment and correction to the positioning of the main
axles in respect to their alignment in the frames. Back in
1988, Bill Harvey carried out the overhaul of the motion and
employed a technique from the halcyon days of steam to
correct badly aligned axle boxes carried over from the BR
Days.”
“This repair has served the B12 well but we now feel that as
part of the current heavy overhaul we ought to undertake to
finally put right, this long standing issue, by carrying out
a thorough repair, which will ensure the efficient and
prolonged running of 8572 for many years to come.
It is hoped that this additional work will not delay the
return of the B12 to traffic. This is a further example of
the progressive nature of the work currently being carried
out by the M&GN Society.
The M&GN Society and Riley and Sons (E) Ltd have worked
together before and are looking forward to a continued
relationship in the future.
BOILER OVERHAUL UNDER WAY FOR M&GN SOCIETY B12 (October 2008)
Chatham Steam Ltd are undertaking the boiler overhaul of the
M&GN Society’s flagship loco, the 1928 Holden-designed B12
61572. Target date for completion is late spring 2009, when
the boiler will be returned to the loco’s home North Norfolk
Railway. Meanwhile work on the rolling chassis and tender
will be carried out at the Railway’s Weybourne workshops.
“Our aim is to get the B12 back in traffic next year, the
50th anniversary of the closure of most of the M&GN system,”
says David Harris, M&GN Society chairman. “The loco is to be
outshopped in LNER apple green livery, which it last carried
immediately after its overhaul some 14 years ago.”
Robin Monday, Director of Chatham Steam, comments: “We are
delighted to be the contractors for the boiler overhaul.
Having carried out work on the B12 in the past we know the
loco well, and we’re proud to be playing a part in bringing
her back into service.”
Total cost of returning the loco to traffic is estimated at
around £150,000. The greater part of this sum has already
been raised, and the Society’s B12 appeal aims not only to
complete the funding but also to create a pot for future
maintenance. “It’s vital that we have funds to maintain the
loco properly beyond the overhaul,” says Harris, “so we’re
asking anyone with an interest in East Anglian steam to help
us raise the money to secure her future.”
Donation pledges and cheques (payable to M&GN Joint Railway
Society) should be sent to the B12 Appeal, PO Box 2795,
Romford, Essex RM7 1EU.
For further information:
Alex Galpin on 07957 865193
alex.galpin@btinternet.com
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