Amberley Museum steam locomotive boiler work
Amberley Museum volunteers are now in the final stages of the overhaul of Bagnall 0-4-0ST locomotive ‘Peter’ and firm plans are in place to put ‘Peter’ back in service officially at the Museum’s Rail Gala Weekend on Saturday 23rd July 2022.
A ceremonial banner will be cut during the afternoon on Saturday and ‘Peter’ will be hauling one of the passenger trains all weekend. Work on the locomotive for its 10-year overhaul of the boiler with a new barrel has included the front tube plate and new tubes, complete re-stud of the boiler, as well as a thorough overhaul of the regulator and mechanical parts. A full repaint has been completed as well.
Boiler work was completed by Andy Bennett’s company in Somerset while the rest of the work was carried out by volunteers at the Museum with some specialist work put out to local engineering firms by the Museum. Amberley Museum are very grateful to all those involved for their hard work.
Work on Amberley Museum’s RAF Fauld bogie coach
The Museum’s RAF Fauld bogie coach has also received a lot of attention including new wheelsets, provided by Alan Keef & Co in Ross on Wye, the cost of which was funded by a generous grant from the Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society; an external repaint has been included in this work.
A plaque acknowledging their assistance with this project will be unveiled on Saturday 23rd July by a representative of the Society. SIAS Chairman, John Blackwell, said, “The carriage looks resplendent and a credit to all involved, Museum volunteers and contractors. Once back in service, it will give wheelchair users and other mobility impaired visitors easier access to the train for a trip on the Museum’s railway.”
Amberley Museum Rail Gala Weekend extra details
The Museum’s varied collection of narrow-gauge locomotives will be in action on the passenger trains and demonstration industrial trains at the Rail Gala Weekend. The model railway exhibition in the Railway Hall will see local railway modellers and traders demonstrating their model layouts and modelling techniques. Visiting traders will sell books, kits and other transport related collectables.
‘Polar Bear’, the Museum’s Groudle Glen Bagnall locomotive, reaches the end of its 10-year ticket in 2022 so this year’s Rail Gala Weekend will be the only chance for a while to see both Amberley steam locos running together. It is hoped that work on it will not take too long.
Pre-book tickets for the Rail Gala Weekend online here: www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/whats-on/rail-gala/
For further information, contact Joe Meacher, Marketing Officer by calling 01798 831370 or emailing marketing@amberleymuseum.co.uk
