OVERHAULING the chassis of Kerr, Stuart 0-4-0WT 721/1901 Dundee Gasworks No. 2 continues at Beamish. The frames require significant attention, to the extent that replacement of the frame plates would actually be easier. However, the objective is to restore the locomotive, not effectively replicate it, so issues of distortion (possibly caused by extensive weld repairs undertaken during a previous cosmetic restoration) will be dealt with while correcting other issues. Meanwhile, the 1944-built boiler is being overhauled by John Fowler Ltd in Cumbria.
Another issue to be resolved concerns the need to face the worn valve faces, a task made complicated by their location within the valve chest atop the cylinders and bolted to the frames through the water tank. A similar problem was encountered during restoration of standard gauge Stephen Lewin 0-4-0ST Seaham Harbour No. 18 was resolved by some 25 hours of hand finishing (RM, March 2013).