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An exciting step towards the completion of the overhaul of 57xx Pannier Tank No.9681 was reached today, when the boiler was craned back into the frames for the first time in several years.
The boiler had recently passed its steam test with the boiler inspector present, and therefore the opportunity was taken to fit it back into the frames at Norchard on Saturday.
A big thanks is due to the small but dedicated DFLG engineering team based at Norchard for their hard work in this major step.

Photos with thanks to Matt Sexton and Tom Buffin.
Final assembly with now be carried out, with a view to returning the popular Pannier Tank engine to service towards the Autumn.

Stay tuned for further updates!

The boiler from Pannier tank No.9681 has been steamed for the first time in many years. This is an excellent step forward towards the completion of the locomotive’s overhaul!
This is a credit to the small but dedicated engineering team at Norchard, along with hard work by Western Steam Engineering.

Once the boiler has been steam tested with a boiler inspector, it will be placed back in the frames ready for final rebuild.
Stay tuned for further updates….

The majority of our income is generated through steaming fees. Over the winter, our opportunities to steam in revenue earning service reduces hugely. However, it is also the time in which restoration projects are advanced, owing to the natural down time. It is important that we continue to fund raise as much as we can. Can you help us?

You can donate to any locomotive or item of rolling stock, or make a general donation to the DFLG.

5541 – Currently in traffic. Fundraising launched for overhaul in 2022.

9681- Undergoing major overhaul and expected back into traffic in 2022.

9682 – Long term restoration project.

We also have a variety of wagon restorations in progress.

You can donate by Bank Transfer to the DFLG via the following details: Dean Forest Locomotive Group, Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-33-83 Account Number 10966932.

You can donate via Paypal at the following link: Donate (paypal.com)

All donations are gratefully received and help us to continue our restoration and conservation work. Many thanks!

We have had a very generous donation of Hornby 3 and 2 rail locos and stock to our shop at Norchard. Please see the list below. Items are subject to availability – please send an email to hilary.a.hill@outlook.com if you would like further info, or pop into the DFLG shop coach on any running day.

Hornby Dublo 3-rail locomotives

Locomotive	Tender	Notes	Price	Sold
Bristol Castle 4-6-0	Y	Motor working but very weak	£20
A4 Sir Nigel Gresley 4-6-2	Y	No. 7 LNER blue, runs well good condition	£50
Silver King 4-6-2	Y	Working	£50
Silver King 4-6-2	N	Runs better backwards than forwards	£25
Duchess of Montrose 4-6-2	Y	Very good runner, part of valve gear missing left side.	£40
Duchess of Montrose 4-6-2	Y	Working	£40
Duchess of Montrose 4-6-2	Y	Working	£40
Duchess of Atholl 4-6-2	N	poor condition needs re-magnetising	£20
Dorchester 4-6-2 (boxed)	Y	very poor condition, corroded, static model only	£10
BR 2-8-0	Y	Working	£50
BR 2-6-4 tank 80054		Needs re-magnetising and brushes	£20
BR 0-6-2 tank 69567		Working	£25

2-rail locomotives (all run better on Code 100 not fine scale track)

Make	Class	Tender	Condition	Price	Sold
Triang	Britannia 4-6-2	Y	Slightly damaged front, working	£20
Triang	A4 Peregrine 4-6-2 (4903) Black war-time NE livery.	Y	Reasonable condition armature needs replacing/mending	£60
G&R Wrenn	City of Glasgow 4-6-2	Y	Tender not perfect	£70
G&R Wrenn	City of Stoke-on-Trent 4-6-2	N	Working	£30
G&R Wrenn	City of London 4-6-2	N	Working slowly needs re-magnetising	£30
G&R Wrenn	Lyme Regis 4-6-2	N	Working	£30
Airfix	Royal Scot 4-6-0 (black)	Y	Working	£40
Triang	Princess Royal 4-6-2	Y	Working	£40
Wrenn	LMS 2-6-4 20738 tank		Working	£50
Triang	Flying Scotsman 4-6-2	N	Working	£25
?	GWR Hall 4-6-0 (4983)	Y	Working	£35
Airfix	GWR 2-6-2 Tank (6110)		Working	£15
Triang	GWR 0-6-0 tank (8751)		working	£30
Triang	0-4-0 Diesel dock shunter		With light working	£20
Triang	R734 Southern 0-4-4 tank		Needs new motor	£15
Triang	exLMS/BR 0-6-0 tank (47606)		Working.  Body slightly damaged	£25

Triang Transcontinental Sets (all run better on Code 100 track)

	Notes	Price	Sold
4-6-2 TR 2335 +tender	R126 bogie Cattle wagon R139 bogie Westwood Pickles R115 Caboose/Gondola R137 bogie Hopper	£40
4-6-2 TR 2335 + tender	R118 bogie low loader Bogie low loader with logs Bogie Box car/goods van Bogie Refrigerator van	£40
Diesel (4008) transcontinentalRuns very well	R130 (134) Bogie baggage car (blue roof) R24/25 (R131/132) Dome coach (Blue roof) Diner (grey roof) Observation car (grey roof)	£40

Doug and Richard have turned their attention to the Mink A van in recent months. Current progress is as follows:

Removal of everything under the frame that can be unbolted except for the drawgear which cannot be removed until the van has been removed to a final resting place for restoration. There is a slight twist in the frame which was unforeseen and will add additional time onto the restoration. The vacuum cylinder is currently being overhauled ready for rebuilding onto the van. Progress is weather permitting at present, with 9681 utilising the shed for the final part of its overhaul.

More to follow!

After several years of hard work by Richard and Doug as well as other dedicated volunteers, the Mink G van is now completed. A before and after comparison has been shown below. The van has had all new wood, and roofing completed as well as new metalwork in places. The van is expected to be out and about on the line as part of a special service on Sunday 26th September. Send in your photos!

The Mink G has been undergoing signwriting, after its superb restoration by Richard and Doug. Look out for the full article and photographs shortly, but for now, here’s a sneak peak!

Photo C.Bayliss

We are currently working on the overhaul of ex BR 57xx Pannier Tank No.9681 at Norchard. In order to help us raise vital funds to bring this historic locomotive back to steam, we are appealing for donations to support the DFLG. We have set up a PayPal page which can be accessed here:

Donate (paypal.com)

Any small donations would be gratefully accepted and put to good use within the DFLG.

Thank you.

Norchard has been quieter than normal lately, but a small band of volunteers have been hard at work under strict social distancing measures in order to carry out vital maintenance on Prairie No.5541 and a push on with Pannier No.9681 to ensure we have a replacement for 5541 when she is withdrawn for overhaul.

Prairie No.5541 has received a new brick arch and sprinkler system. Pannier No.9681’s new cab is progressing very well. The two spectacle plates, gutters, coal bars, cab shutters and various handrails and fittings have been put back onto the loco. Western Steam Engineering have been working on the new cab floor which is looking excellent.

The pistons and crossheads have returned from Tyseley and will have been fitted by the time this article goes out, all being well. Work has been progressing well on the boiler with the last of the staying being completed in March. The foundation ring will then be removed, repaired and refitted.

The Mink G is progressing very well indeed. The door locking bar guides have had the recesses cut in the first door and everything trial fitted to make sure everything  works O/K [it does]. It has been removed to enable the ongoing painting to proceed. Sometime in the next two weeks it is hoped that we can meet the signwriter  to  arrange getting the lettering done. Progress at the moment looks a bit slow, but we are into the time consuming fiddly bits now.

We are all gearing up for a return to steam in the near future and are always looking for new members to help us on our way. Please consider checking out the membership page for more details. Photos T.Halford/C.Bayliss.

We have recently set up a Youtube channel to share with you visual updates of our locomotives and rolling stock. Due to national lockdown restrictions, content may not be uploaded until the Spring time, however, we are keen for you to join us, spread the word and click the ‘subscribe’ button so that you will be first in line to see our videos when we begin to upload.

Our channel can be found here: Dean Forest Locomotive Group – YouTube