Published 15 May 2018 | 
a visit to Tyseley locomotive works a few days ago revealed the huge progress made with our boiler. The back head now complete, the new boiler ring ready to be fitted and the smoke box ring now fitted to the smoke box. All looks on course for completion as planned by the end of June.
In addition the steam fountain was nearing completion and the safety valve was being machined.
Published 8 May 2018 | work has continued on the cylinder creating which has proven to be a harder job than expected working without drawings.
however the job is nearly finished.
Published 10 April 2018 | When 6880 steams within the next 12 months it will run with a 4000 gallon Collet tender hired from 2-8-0 No. 3814. A deal has been struck with the owner of the tender to use it until such time as 3814 itelf has been overhauled. The tender is currently at Llangollen nearing the end of a restoration and will be available to us later this year.
Published 9 March 2018 | work continues at Tyseley where the rivet holes for connecting the back plate to the foundation ring were being drilled. We also saw an unusual view of the firebox rear with both inner and outer back plates removed. The new front boiler ring has now arrived on site and is available for fitting when required.
Published 9 February 2018 | at the beginning February our team fitted the cylinder draincocks during the recent working weekend
Published 13 January 2018 | work on the boiler continues on schedule for completion this Spring. The new firebox lower outer sheets are ready to be welded in. Meanwhile two new throat plates have been made for both 4936 and 6880, ready to be riveted in once the outer sheets are finished. Outside the new smoke box barrel has arrived ready to be fitted once the new front boiler barrel arrives. Also on site is the metalwork for the new ashpan.
Published 10 December 2017 | the following people were winners in our raffle drawn today 10th December.
liz McGuinness will be in touch to advise the winners
1st David Williams £200
2nd Geoff Rogers £100
3rd Dave Gill £68.80
10 prizes of £6.80
Chris fox
Mr Frank
John McNaughton
Geoff Morris
Geoff Turner
W Mills
Steve Worrall
Michelle Pyle
R M Tucker
D Marks
Published 8 November 2017 | on 29th October the Society held the annual Member’s Day at Llangollen,
addressing the meeting was our ambassador Mark Evans visiting us to see for himself the progress on the locomotive.
work on completing the ‘bottom end’ of the locomotive continues whilst work on the boiler continues at Tyseley. The Boiler Fund has now reached the amazing total of £219,000 a remarkable achievement. Les than 10 Granges remain to be adopted raising £70,000 through this initiative.
Published 3 October 2017 | This last weekend saw our team finish the pressure testing of the cylinder castings to 250 psi hydraulic. We can now proceed with drilling and tapping to prepare for the fitting of the pistons and valves. A big step forward in completing the ‘bottom end’ of the locomotive. Preliminary fitting of the cylinder cladding was carried out too.
Published 27 September 2017 | Boiler work continues at Tyseley with the formation of a new front Tubeplate. The back head sheet has been removed for inspection and found to be in good condition for its age.
