“The lockdown is being eased, but much is still out of our reach, especially 4709’s chassis, which remains at Llangollen for a couple more weeks at least.”
In a statement this week, Richard Croucher, the 4709’s group chairman and fundraiser-in-chief says that work and fundraising has been ongoing, but it’s been a real challenge to maintain any kind of impetus.
During these weeks, sponsorship for forging one the loco’s coupling rods has been secured, while work on the casting of spring hanger brackets is almost complete as is an agreement to cast 4709’s cylinders.
“The cylinder project has been very challenging, a situation made worse by the COVID restrictions and our needing to identify a suitable foundry that will work with the sacrificial poly patterns we’ve chosen to use,” he said.
The patterns were completed before the lockdown and as Richard explains; “COVID then prevented us from getting any further ahead.”
“That goal may finally be in sight. Negotiations are almost complete and we’re hoping the early July easing of regulations will see work underway before the end of the month.”
4709’s programme then looks pretty busy for the rest of a truncated 2020. Once the frames have arrived at Leaky Finders workshop at Hele, the cylinders and spring hanger brackets should be fitted along with the running boards. The wheelsets are also due to arrive from Tyseley and when they arrive, the chassis will be be wheeled.
“We may even have a 47XX on its wheels by Christmas” says Richard.
