With our tender appeal well under way, the Society has bought a tender frame assembly as the base for our new Collett 3500 gallon tender No. 2268

The team plan to contract the work restoring the frames and using the wheel sets from Cogan Hall’s tender to Tyseley Locomotive Works.

Whilst volunteer’s working parties are still not possible at Tyseley, work has continued by Tyseley Locomotive Works. The smoke box is now connected to the boiler and bolted to the saddle. Also some of the back head fittings are now in place As can be seen from the following photos. Work will continue through the autumn and winter.

Tyseley Locomotive Works have re-commenced work on 6880. The boiler is now in its’ final position and the smokebox is in the process of being fitted.
Also locally, the fabricator has progressed well with the backplate corner cladding. Photo to follow soon.
Working Parties are not expected to commence for at least 4 weeks from now. Any proposed dates are yet to be confirmed.
Unfortunately 6880 will not be Steaming this year as first anticipated. The CV-19 pandemic has greatly increased our timescale with decreased frequency of working parties and numbers. Fortunately the Final Boiler test is yet to be carried out which will be when the Boiler ticket commences.

At this time we have no clearer picture as to when we can resume working on The locomotive. The engine is still at Tyseley locomotive works which is shut down during the Covid 19 pandemic. Tyseley hope to re-open by the end of June with work re-commencing again on the Grange by mid July .It is then hoped that they will be able to accept Volunteers around 4 weeks later If so we can arrange working parties to suit. We do not yet know how CV-19 working restrictions will impact on our timescale, or frequency of allowed working parties. 
More news will be posted when we have it

Tuesday 17th March was the day that our boiler was lifted into the frames at Tyseley. Now the boiler can be fixed in place and the smoke box secured meaning that the final fixing can take place. Once this is done we can start on the final piping up and the fitting of the cladding.

Our team of volunteers have continued work at Tyseley during the winter and one of the items being worked on is the shaping of the boiler back head plating. The boiler is due to be lifted into the frames this month so final pipe work and finishing can take place

Our boiler passed its first steam test on Friday 6th December paving the way for it to be united with the frames in the week ahead

please click here for a video taken for the steam test

Saturday 16th November was a significant day for us with member’s attending the AGM witnessing the first fire in the boiler. Tyseley has completed the hydraulic test the day before and we were invited to put a warming fire into the firebox. With much excitement Quentin McGuinness and Chris Moore prepare the moment in the traditional manner with lighted oily rags.

The following pictures show what happened with those fortunate to attend, recording the moment

To see the event click here

With the boiler now filled with water, it has been moved outside at Tyseley awaiting the arrival of the boiler inspector.
meanwhile inside the vacuum pump has been fitted and piped up. One more step towards completing the locomotive.

Tyseley have completed the fitting of the large tubes and so the boiler is now ready for its hydraulic test. This is expected to take place within the next 7-14 days paving the way for the steam test.

Meanwhile the ash pan nears completion ready for the day it can be fitted into the frames followed by the boiler itself. Our teams continue to work on the locomotive whilst planning to make the cladding for the blackhead once the boiler goes on