THE Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society is considering using a contractor to adapt and restore the Class 58 frame that will be used as the basis of its newbuild Class 16/1 (LMS‘Twin’) loco. This would significantly accelerate progress towards having a rolling chassis, but also add to the cost of the original plan.
The frame is ready to be profiled from that of a Class 58 to the less angular shape of a‘D16/1’. It also needs new bogie mounts to accept EM2 (Class 77)-type bogie pivots and to transfer body weight and traction loads via traditional bogie bolster pads.
The Co-Co EM2 bogie design was derived from those of the original LMS‘Twins’. Work on these has focused on removing the braking system and traction motors. The axles have been ultrasonically tested, and next the wheelsets need to be removed to be reprofiled from that of their former use in the Netherlands. Arevised braking system will be fitted on the finished locomotive based on the Westinghouse system.