BR Standard ‘9F’ No. 92240 is to be the Bluebell Railway’s next large loco overhaul, the line’s locomotive engineering director, Paul Russell has confirmed. Withdrawn from service in November 2002, the powerful 2-10-0 currently resides outside at Horsted Keynes.
No. 92240 is set to move to Sheffield Park in September. Scaffold will be erected around the engine in the main locomotive yard. External sheet cladding will be removed, along with the old glass fibre insulation. The brick arch will also be taken out. This will allow the condition of the boiler to be assessed – and hence give a better idea of cost for the work required. A detailed planning and costing document is currently being worked on for this.
Due to the size of No. 92240, it is planned for it to return to Horsted Keynes over the winter until workshop space permits it to go back to Sheffield Park. The plan to return the 2-10-0 has been gaining momentum over the last two years following the establishment of the ‘Awake the Giant’ appeal.
“We now have a growing active team of people helping fundraise to get this fantastic locomotive back in action,” said locomotive department volunteer Andy Taylor, who is spearheading the appeal.