About the Trust


Work on the overhaul of 5025 began at the beginning of 2012. This was thanks to grants or promises of support from the Strathspey Railway Company, the Strathspey Railway Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund the Strathspey Railway Association and the significant amount which had already been raised from our supporters though appeals.

Major progress has been made on the locomotive and tender frames, axleboxes, motion, dragboxes and valve gear at Aviemore and on the major rebuild of the boiler, reprofiling of the tyres of the locomotive and tender wheels and construction of a new tender tank at Riley Engineering of Bury. Work has also included the casting and machining of a pair of new cylinders

The WEC Watkinson Trust originally hoped to return 5025 to service in 2015, however owing to the amount of work needed, we now hope that the engine will be ready towards the end of the 2019 season. ( see edit below)

We are still on track for 2019 to be the year in which the oldest and best example of a L.M.S. Black Five steams again. Due to a very tight budget the original intention was to return 5025 to traffic by carrying out the minimum necessary work. However, she is an iconic locomotive and quite early on the sensible decision was taken to restore her to “as new” condition. This has resulted in considerable extra work and expense and has left the Watkinson Trust desperate for funds.

Edit, we were heavily delayed waiting for the boiler, this has put the completion date back to around summer 2020.

Further edit, owing to covid lockdown, this has been further delayed, completion date is now summer 2021.

The original budget of £354,050 has been spent wisely and with care. However, additional boiler work has cost a further £39,345, new cylinders and frame repairs £33,350, and other work such as a new cab, injectors and super heaters upwards of £22,500.

Although most of the work now being carried out is labour intensive, certain costly goods and services are essential to finishing the job and it is only with your help that we can make it happen.

We still need to complete the tender tank and the under frame, produce boiler cladding, purchase copper pipe and various fixings and fastenings and pay for transport, crane hire and specialist machining.

The Watkinson Trust would like to thank you for any generous donation you are able to make towards a successful conclusion.

Please use the “Donate” facility below to support this worthwhile project through Paypal.














Tuesday, 20 April 2021

More progress 19.04.2021

 There are many small jobs remaining on the to do list, these are gradually being ticked off.

Inside the cab;

The steam chest pressure gauge has been fitted.  It is lower down, positioned on the cab front, behind the reverser.  This is to avoid it being damaged by a spanner when removing a wash out plug, if it was positioned in its more traditional position.

The vacuum pipe gauge has been fitted.

The new brake valve has been machined, built up and fitted.

Towards the right hand side of the backhead a new blow down valve has been fitted.

Above, on the right hand side are the boiler pressure gauge, (top), and the steam heat supply to the train pressure gauge, (lower)

Left hand cab pipework bracketed up.

 The right hand cab pipework has received the same treatment.


 At the front end, attached to the smoke box is a new, replica works plate.

 

A view of the front whilst standing on the running plate, showing the cover which is over the atomiser shut off and the regulator oil non return valve.

  Another view looking down whilst standing in the same position.  This shows the left hand steam pipe cover, which has been repaired and bolted into position.

A view along the top of the boiler showing the left hand clack cover.  This has been repaired, reshaped to fit better and awaits being finally bolted down.

Another view of the cover from the other side, whilst standing on the running plate, just in front of the cab.

The safety valves have now been fitted.

The cab front windows have now been glazed and fitted.

The cab side windows have been made and await fitting.  Many thanks to Robin of the 46464 group who made these.


The other side of a side window frame.

There are many lengths of pipework that need final fixing, then various brackets and clamps need making to hold them in place.  This is the right hand injector to clack pipe that has had the bracket treatment.

Temporary tie wraps still in place in this view.

Bracket and clamp in position.

Another bracket and clamp.

And another.

A general view looking towards the front with the wheel set from 46464 in the foreground.

A general view the other way, looking towards the rear, with on the right, the boiler and firebox from 46512 under repair.


A parcel delivery, this contained the wheel flange lubricators which are spring loaded, holding graphite blocks against the wheel flanges to reduce wear.  Just need to work out how to hold them in place now.




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