FOLLOWING the acquisition of the Sutton Miniature Railway Collection (SMRC) by Vintage Trains Charitable Trust (RM, March 2022) No. 1 Sutton Belle has been stripped for restoration. The damaged rear drag box and bent front buffer beam are to be replaced, following which the frames will be repainted and a start made on reassembling the bottom end to provide a rolling chassis.
The boiler is badly corroded and drawings for a new boiler meeting modern standards have been prepared. A fundraising campaign to cover the estimated £5000 cost will shortly be launched.
Initial plans for the SMRC envisage building a 200ydlong 15in gauge line atTyseley, refurbishing the former Dudley Zoo railcar and two carriages to enable operation of a push-pull set and purchasing covers for the refurbished vehicles. It is estimated this can be achieved for around £25,000.
Sutton Miniature Railway No. 1 Sutton Belle pictured several years ago while displayed at Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway prior to its acquisition by Vintage Trains Charitable Trust.
CLIFF THOMAS