Author Topic: Greatest Restorations  (Read 12414 times)

Stephen Hussar

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Greatest Restorations
« on: January 30, 2011, 09:21:40 AM »
I'm thinking many of us are aware of some phenomenal restorations. While this is not news, here are two images of the British Railways "Duke of Gloucester" -on her way to the Barry docks in 1967, and then after restoration in 1995. Amazing, especially when you consider her cylinders (among other items) are missing in the '67 photo!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/4030146788/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/taffytank/3340680569/

More info on the Duke of Gloucester here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BR_Standard_Class_8

Duncan Mackiewicz

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2011, 12:59:58 PM »
Wow, talk about the proverbial ugly duckling evolving into a beautiful swan...

Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2011, 02:11:16 PM »
For a great photo essay on the Barry Scrapyard, with 160 "before" photos of 100+ locomotives saved, check out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8755708@N07/sets/72157622568789414/

Most photos have captions that document the ultimate fate of the locomotive pictured. Happily, very few were cut up and many are restored and operating.
Ed Lecuyer
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Wayne Laepple

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2011, 02:22:51 PM »
During visits to Great Britain in 1977 and 1980, I visited a number of steam railways, and I saw quite a few of the Barry engines. Many of them had only recently been liberated from Woodhams, and I had my doubts that most would ever steam again. I am thrilled to have been proven wrong!

One advantage that our British friends had was that they could acquire multiple engines of the same class, sacrificing one to provide parts for the others. I know of several groups which purchased three or more engines knowing that one would be the organ donor for the others.

Dai Woodhams, the owner of the scrap yard, had a heart for steam locomotives, and when he decided to sell locomotives for preservation, he sold them for what he paid for them. He wasn't out to make a killing.

Glenn Christensen

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2011, 04:29:36 PM »
Hi Guys,

Wayne is right on.  I seem to recall reading in "Steam Railway" magazine that all the Barry "hulks" ended up going to restoration in some form or other, even if it was only for spare parts.

I've heard it said that the closest US analog for Barry is/was Cuba.


Best Regards,
Glenn

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2011, 07:05:37 AM »
We've likely all heard the phrase, "jack up the smokestack and build a new locomotive underneath." The Duke wasn't that far gone, but what other steam restorations can you think that had such a dramatic end result? (the brand-new Tornado doesn't count!)

I've heard that T-1 No 2100 was pretty far gone... 

Glenn Christensen

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2011, 09:57:00 AM »
Hi Stephen,

To my mind, the most incredible locomotive restorations are the two Rogers "K" class locomotives from New Zealand Railways.  These locos were first designed in 1877 and when retired were used as riprap to protect the railroad grade from river scouring.  After many years of this "duty", these "hulks" were disinterred and beautifully restored to operation.  You can check it out at URL:
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NZR_K_class_%281877%29


Best Regards,
Glenn

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2011, 09:05:36 AM »
Thanks, Glenn. Found this image of the K-92, the second of the three engines to be exhumed. Wow, I'd like to see some "before" photos! Those angled wood panels on the cab are something...gives her a nicely "finished" look.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/branxholm/4301581349/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2011, 09:13:52 AM »
This page loaded slowly for me, but is worth the wait! K88 restoration photos, including one in unrestored condition: http://www.wbfp.netfirms.com/k88_restoration.htm

Ken Fleming

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2011, 09:19:18 AM »
Here is a good picture of the K-88.

http://www.plainsrailway.co.nz/album.php?album=12

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2011, 09:24:20 AM »
Interesting shape to the firebox...almost like there are upper and lower throat sheets?

Stephen

Keith Taylor

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2011, 09:44:37 AM »
Stephen, those are what is known as a Belpaire firebox. One of the major users of this style firebox was the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Keith

Stephen Hussar

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2011, 11:27:54 AM »
So the hourglass shape is still considered Belpaire? I guess I've never noticed it before... the only example I have in my head would be 1361...
http://www.trainweb.org/horseshoecurve-nrhs/Photos/K4/k-4%202-21-00/k4-2.jpg

Stephen
« Last Edit: February 06, 2011, 08:09:41 PM by Stephen Hussar »

Keith Taylor

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2011, 01:01:54 PM »
What makes the firebox a Belpaire is the square shoulders of the wrapper sheet.
The "width" of the firebox is dependant on what type of coal is to be burned. Here is a link to a photo of a PRR 4-4-0 with an early Belpaire firebox, where the firebox is able to fit between the drivers. http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr8951s.jpg
These engines, like the Rogers in N.Z. have long deep fireboxes.
The Belpaire firebox was invented by Alfred Belpaire of Belgium in 1860. The PRR and Great Northern were the major users of the Belpaire type firebox in this country (U.S.of A) but was also popular in the U.K. where most Great Western and many London, Midland and Scottish Rwy. locomotives also used the Belpaire firebox.

Keith

Terry Harper

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Re: Greatest Restorations
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2011, 03:02:59 PM »
Here is a drawing of a Belpair firebox. What sets it apart is the top. The sidesheets can be adapted to either a wide (overframe) firebox or narrow between the frame. This one happens to be for a wide firebox. Note the horizontal stays and radial