6024 Preservation Society Ltd

[Sun 23-Mar-08] The Spring railtour prgramme for 6024 has now been amended to allow more time for lifting the engine to access the bogie, and for reprofiling of the tyres on bogie and tender wheels. This work is due to take place in May. Railtours scheduled during May have now been reallocated to other engines. [Return to Top]

Annual Winter Maintenance

[Mon 10-Mar-08] Following the two successful railtours at the end of December, 6024 moved to Didcot in early January, at the generous hospitality of the Great Western Society. A full program of annual maintenance work is being carried preparatory to the 12month recertification. The tasks include replacing the heavily worn expansion link die blocks in the valve gear, repairing a small leak from the rear of the outside right hand rear cylinder cover (which necessitates the removal of nearly all the right hand motion), and replacement of the brick arch, as well as work on the blastpipe, the air brake system and a number of smaller items. Visitors to the Didcot Railway Centre may see some of the work in progress in the main running shed. Further reports on progress may be found at Huw Button's website. The work has taken a little longer than originally anticipated, but most of the major work is now complete and the emphasis is now on re-assembly. It is anticpated that some running-in will take place on the Didcot demonstration line later in April, prior to resuming railtour comitments. A full program of railtours is being planned for the Spring and Summer (see Railtours page), and further details will be announced here as arrangements are confirmed. [Return to Top]

6024 back in service

[Sat 15-Dec-07] With a large turn-out of working members in attendance, the inside-right hand piston, crosshead and connecting rod were refitted to 6024 at Bristol Barton Hill Depot over several weekends in November. The locomotive was successfully tested iin steam in the depot yard on Sunday 25 November. 6024 worked a short test run to Weston-super-Mare and back in the late evening of Monday 3 December. Then in the early hours of the following morning it left Bristol with the water carrier, support coach and a Class 67 diesel in tow. It travelled via the Severn Tunnel, Abergavenny, Hereford, Shrewsbury (Abbey Foregate loop) and Telford to Bescot. The original planned route from Hereford via Ledbury to Worcester had to be altered as Class 67 diesels are not permitted on this line.The loco is now hased at the EWS Depot at Bescot in preparation for its forthcoming railtour duties on 22 and 29 December. 6024 will then move to the Great Western Society Railway Centre at Didcot where annual maintenance will be undertaken. [Return to Top]

Motion repairs

[Tue 16-Oct-07] Further unforeseen delays in machining of the right inside cross head by a sub-contractor have meant that repairs to 6024 will unfortunately not now be completed in time to undertake any of the booked railtour comitments in October. It is now expected that repairs will be completed during November, and that 6024 will be available for the planned railtours in December. [Return to Top]

Motion repairs

[Thu 27-Sep-07] During 6024's Fitness to Run (FTR) examination at Bristol Barton Hill Depot on Saturday 1 September, it was found that the tapered cotter pin that locks the inside right hand piston rod to the crosshead had shown sign of movement. As a result 6024 was unable to undertake the Torbay Express comitments on 2nd and 9th September and the subsequent mainline railtours in September, for which the Society apologises to disappointed passengers. The inside right hand connecting rod, crosshead and piston have subsequently been removed at Bristol, and parts have been taken to Tyseley for repair, remetalling and machining. It is anticipated that repairs should be complete in time for 6024 to head an additional Torbay Express in October. [Return to Top]

Torbay Express

[Wed 29-Aug-07] 6024 has completed a busy period of railtour activity in July and August which has included a total of 9 Sunday Torbay Expresses from Bristol to Kingswear and return (including susbtituting for 34067 on 26-August), together a run from Bristol to Par and return on 24 August, double-heading with 34067. [Return to Top]

6024 at the West Somerset Railway

[Fri 08-Jun-07] Following the charter tour on 16 June, it is anticipated (subject to final confirmation) that 6024 and support coach will run from Old Oak Common to Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway on Sunday 17 June. 6024 will remain here until the evening of Saturday 7 July when it will move (tender first) to Bristol Barton Hill in preparation for the following day's inaugural Torbay Express. It is expected that 6024 will haul a special Society charter at the WSR on Sun 24 June. Details to be announced soon. [Return to Top]

The Water Wagon enters service

[Thu 07-Jun-07] The Railway Touring Company's Cambrian Coast Express from Shrewsbury to Paddington on Saturday 9 June is expected to see the first use of the Society's Water Wagon on a charter train. No 6024 will be picking up the wagon at Tyseley on Friday 8 September en route from Kidderminster to Shrewsbury. It is also planned to use the wagon on the Yeovil Betrothal from Paddington to Yeovil Jc and return via Newbury on Saturday 16 June. [Return to Top]

6024 on BBC Coast Programme

[Mon 04-Jun-07] No 6024 will feature prominently in the BBC2 programme Coast due to be broadcast at 20.30 on Sunday 10 June (details may vary in the regions). This edition covers the coast from Bournemouth to Plymouth, including the famous South Devon sea wall section of the mainline through Dawlish and Teignmouth. The programme includes sequences of 6024 on Past-Time Rail's Torbay Express recorded last summer, with shots of the train from a pursuing helicopter and also a camera mounted on the front of the locomotive. 6024 will of course be hauling the Torbay Express again this summer, commencing on Sunday 8 July. [Return to Top]

6024 in service on the Severn Valley Railway

[Wed 30-May-07] In a late change of programme, 6024 moved from the EWS Barton Hill depot in Bristol to the Severn Valley Railway on Monday 28 May. It is expected to be in service on Severn Valley Railway services on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 June. It is then due to move via Tyseley to Shrewsbury on Friday 8 June, in preparation for working the Cambrian Coast Express from Shrewsbury to Paddington on Saturday 9 June. This train is expected to see the first operational use of the Water Wagon. [Return to Top]

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