A trio of steamable locos on Brechin's shed Road - when was the last time this happened?!
Ongoing Projects page -
updated 26/12/01
This page contains information for the
enthusiast on specific projects underway at the Caledonian Railway.
2001 has been a momentous year for the Caledonian Railway, and ended on a high note with record takings in the booking office during the 'Santa Specials' season. The summer saw the highly enjoyable visit of BR standard no. 80105, and our friends at the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre in Ayrshire have done us an enormous favour by loaning us 'Harlaxton' until their full line is ready for passengers. A powerful beast, it managed six coaches up the bank out of Bridge of Dun during the Santa season steaming on main valve and making a noise that could be heard in Brechin!
At Brechin station the model railway has come on in leaps and bounds, and makes an interesting addition to the passengers' day out. Roll on the platform canopy replacement, which will make us a true 'all-weather' attraction.
Steam locos
A trio of steamable locos on Brechin's shed
Road - when was the last time this happened?!
Peckett 0-6-0ST no. 1889 "Menelaus":
Undergoing a full overhaul. Latest news indicates a new tubeplate is required -
send us your money!
Peckett 0-6-0ST no. 2153 is currently dismantled for overhaul, following 'Menelaus'
into the works.
Barclay 0-4-0ST no. 1863 is currently fully serviceable and operating.
Barclay 0-6-0T no. 2107 "Harlaxton" is also fully serviceable and
operating. This engine is on loan from the Scottish Industrial Railway Centre in
Ayrshire.
BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T no. 80105 has now left the railway following its
welcome visit, and is back home at Bo'ness.
Inside Brechin works - left to right are
Peckett 0-4-0 'BAC No.1', 80105 and Barclay 0-6-0T 'Harlaxton'
Coach update 26/12/01
Mark 1 4809 and Mark 2 no. 5145 have received south side repaints, both in lined
maroon. Mark 1s 4676 and the BG stores coach have both begun their transition to
maroon and are now at the undercoat stage. Both 4676 and 34539 have been receiving attention to interiors, doors, including some body repair work.
Mark 2 5188 has been completed for service, and Mark 1 4495
is in the process of receiving replacement aluminium doors which will involve
door pillar replacement work.
Catering coach 4249 has received internal alterations to the previously
installed buffet area so that it is walk through, effectively turning it into an
RMB. Replacement aluminium doors and bodywork repair are to follow. Mark 1 9315
is currently receiving major body panel work and will be internally refitted
following this. Mark 1 4864 was successfully brought into service for the
railtour on September 1st, but still needs work to make it more presentable.
The legendary 1st September railtour -
D5314 at Bridge of Dun. The Caledonian's bookeeper Bob Smith (right, with grey
jacket)
keeps a close eye on proceedings! Coach 4864 is the second vehicle behind class
26 D5314.
Diesel Locos
Class 27 number 27024 is due to return to
service shortly when new brush boxes and brushes for the auxiliary generator
arrive from the manufacturer.
Class 26 26035 has still not returned to service at the time of writing At present it is receiving bogie repairs in order that it can
replace green 26 number D5314 which requires attention to a number of
components, namely engine governor, triple valve, No1 compressor, cab doors and
floors, wiper motors, and misc minor air, oil and water leaks.
Recently-acquired class 25 no. 25083 has received a new steel cab underfloor in
number 2 end. The main generator has been removed pending repair. Work is to
continue welding cab 2 door frames and steps prior to refitting of equipment.
Attention to cab 1 will follow after this has been completed.
Planet shunting loco is to receive a Leyland 680 engine which has been acquired
from Grampian Transport Atlantean 310 bus, and work is continuing on the engine
on a private site away from the railway. Hopefully this work will be done this
summer in order to give the coach department a suitable loco for shunting work.
It is also proposed to fit vacuum train brakes to assist with brake testing of
coaches.
Diesel spares wanted
The Caledonian Railway Diesel Group are
currently restoring BR Class 25 number 25083. However, they are short of certain
parts and in particular are appealing for an AEI class 25 power controller, and
two vacuum only train brake application valves for class 25, either ordinary
vacuum brake or equalising type. Again contact Ken if you are able to help.
Stations
Bridge of Dun centre platform's new building is edging closely towards
completion. Although once a Portacabin, local joiner Raymond Canally has worked
miracles with wood and one would be hard pushed to tell it apart from a genuine
railway building now. Complete with tongue-and-groove boarding around the
outside, the structure provides much-needed disabled facilities at Dun, and we
are hopeful of receiving grant aid shortly to enhance the landscaping around the
site.. The building will allow much more flexibility for events like the beer
festival, and repairs to the centre platform edging will allow us to run
top-and-tailed trains from platform 3 if required. However, more donations are
desperately needed, so please send any money you can to the Brechin address
(left banner, scroll down). Bridge of Dun has the potential to be one of
preservation's finest stations with its three ten-coach platforms and superb
buildings. The p-way department are working hard to lay sidings in the
Strathmore yard to clear stored stock from the station area, and thing are
looking much clearer already. On the Strathmore sidings, foundations for the
diesel shed have been dug and hopefully this will be erected this year: all the
framework for it currently sits on a 'warflat' wagon.
Progress with grants towards Brechin canopy refurbishment continues well. More
news on this as and when it happens. Brechin station is likely to receive
volunteer accommodation facilities this year, and a redesigned shop.