Further to my post here just last month about the planned move announced by The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society that 35011 will be moving to its new base of the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, I am pleased to be able to advise that just only four weeks later, on Monday 15th April, the move has taken place, seeing No.11 unloaded at here new home. The Swindon and Cricklade Railway’s own volunteers have, with many thanks from The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society, been splendidly working away to finish laying the new track and the completion of the covered accommodation in readiness for the arrival of No.11.
The intention of The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society of course is to not only to return the Bulleid Merchant Navy Pacific 35011 General Steam Navigation to steam but also back to her original ‘Air Smoothed’ condition complete with Bulleid’s oil bath encased valve gear incorporating chain drive elements.
No. 11 will now be undercover within a shelter for the first time since she was in service. This will allow her to be fully dismantled, which was not possible to commence at its previous location. The boiler can then lifted allowing the rolling chassis to be moved into the Swindon and Cricklade Railway‘s main works.
There is already room allocated in the works enabling the main restoration work, and indeed uniquely returning to Bulleid’s original as designed and built condition, to commence at much greater pace and within vastly improved conditions.
Well done to the team at The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society for their hard work and dedication to make today’s move and the start of a new chapter in the life of No.11 occur.
The Just giving page that has been set up here is still open to help raise funds for the cost of this move, perhaps you might be able to make a small donation to assist, as said, “every little helps”!
Hopefully this post and the continued progress being made might convince some of the readers of this blog to join the Society, membership costs only £10 per year and full details on how to become a member can be found here and be a part of this ambitious but serious and credible restoration project
Full updates on progress can be found on the 35001 Society website here.
All pictures courtesy and copyright The General Steam Navigation Locomotive Restoration Society
Welcome news on this exciting project!
Thank you for keeping us informed!
Another step forward in this exciting project.
Thank you for keeping us appraised!
Apologies – first comment didn’t initially appear!