Asbestos with the Maryport & Carlisle Coach and GW brake van
I think that it could have been taken from the path from Norton East Road, or is it at the other end of the causeway? Looking on the right-hand side over the causeway, a sailing boat can be seen, so that can’t be Jeffrey’s Swag.
Some time ago, Chasewater Railway had the pleasure of hosting a photo-shoot by ‘Talon’ the No. 1 tribute band to the great ‘Eagles’ , and on the weekend Nov 16/17 Nov 2013 the Railway was given a CD showing the results of the shoot, along with a very nice ‘thank you’ letter and some posters.
To see the original post about the photo-shoot go to:
Thank you very much ‘Talon’ we enjoyed your company and wish you every success in the future.
To find out more about ‘TALON’ go to their website:
Among a few photos of Brereton Colliery was this one of loco ‘Vanguard’
(0-4-0ST Peckett 1491/1917 Acquired from Royal Arsenal, Woolwich 1920. Still at Brereton Coll. 1957, since scrapped.)
sitting by the Brereton Sidings signal box. This was taken by Don Dutton in 1960, after the closure of the pit. Don was the driver, ‘Perce’ Vernon (shunter), George Wilshaw (shunter) and George Blackburn (Boilersmith).
Due to the grand summer weather our train running operations have proved very successful, this of course has also been enhanced by having the DMU trailer unit now in regular service, our train crews have carried out the job of keeping the wheels rolling most efficiently. Members wishing to participate in train duties should report to Steve Allsopp for instruction.
Neilson 0-4-0 Locomotive
This locomotive has now passed its boiler test successfully and is now in the process of being re-assembled. I understand that the main bearings are being re-metalled. The whole project is in the capable hands of our General Manager, Derek Luker, with Keith Sergeant acting as chief assistant. We are heavily indebted to these two members for sticking to the job.
MSLR Carriage
Restoration of this vehicle still continues, also a long slog by John Elsley. John would appreciate a little more help with this vehicle. Anyone who is reasonably skilled in woodwork should report to John Elsley.
The platform building had been slowed down due to the train operations, and the Railway held a very successful Railway Exhibition at the Forum Theatre in Cannock. Very many thanks to all the people who set up the stands, acted as stewards, and in particular, to Rob Duffill and his team of ladies who manned the refreshment bar.
Since the last newsletter (March) we have been pleased to see a few members turn up at Chasewater as a result of the appeal for more support. We would like to see a few more however. There is an interesting variety of jobs, i.e. trackwork, platform building, locomotive and carriage restoration, installation of signals and signalling equipment. (Sounds familiar!!)
There was a successful Easter Weekend Steaming in spite of awful weather, and a thank you to the members who stayed overnight to light up, and those who operated the service in such vile weather.
DMU Trailer Unit
This vehicle has now arrived at Walsall from March, Cambs. And is now awaiting collection and transportation by low-loader from Walsall to Chasewater. This should prove a spectacular operation (albeit a costly one). We deserve to get maximum publicity from this enterprise. As most members will realise, this carriage has been purchased to give maximum seating capacity for the summer season’s running, also to replace our vintage Maryport & Carlisle coach now in service. The M & C now needs some restoration work, new panelling and a complete repaint.
Stop Press – 3rd May!!
This vehicle is now safely in the compound at Chasewater, after a hectic day by a small party of members and being filmed going through the streets of Walsall by ‘ATV Today’
NER 8 Ton Box Van
Due to the efforts of our Hon. Sec. Barry Bull, the Society has acquired the last wooden bodied Box Van used by Messrs. Cadbury of Bournville. Messrs. Cadbury have very kindly donated the vehicle to the Society, arrangements have now been made for collection of this vehicle on May 5th. Our grateful thanks to both Messrs. Cadbury for donating this vehicle and to Barry for negotiating the deal.
Most of what has been happening on the Industrial railway scene in the Midlands over the last few months makes the outlook for steam enthusiasts rather grim.
The winter began with the replacement of steam at Holditch Colliery, near Newcastle-under-Lyme by two displaced diesels from Silverdale Colliery. The two steamers here ‘Cornist’, a Hudswell Clarke six-coupled side tank and ‘Dilhorne No.3’, a Bagnall built Austerity were both in a very run-down condition by the end.
Littleton, West Cannock and Cannock Wood continued using their steam up until the miners’ strike but since then new diesels have arrived in the South Staffs NCB Area and steam work has ceased. During last summer it was possible to see the big Manning Wardle (Littleton No.5) at Littleton in regular use, also the 16 Hunslet, ‘Robert Nelson No.4’ and the Austerity. An interesting survival here is a Midland Railway 10 ton goods brake, built Derby 1900 in use as a store van for oil; this is in a poor condition however. All the three steam are now dumped in the open. The two Austerities and the Bagnall ‘Topham’ at West Cannock are dumped by the screens. The Austerity ‘Wimblebury’ at Cannock Wood was steamed one day a week until the strike, but never since.
In Birmingham, Bromford Tube Works cut up their remaining steam loco last year (1971) and Dunlop’s three went for preservation, including the Chasewater Railway resident ‘Linda’, Bagnall loco 2648/1941, formerly Dunlop No.6.
Nechells Power Station hired a diesel from BR towards the end of the year and steam working here finished last November. However the Peckett 0-4-0ST No.1, delivered here new in 1916, was repaired and transferred to Northampton Power Station. Her sister No.2 and the three big Robert Stephenson and Hawthorn 0-6-0STs are available for sale.
On the brighter side the little Barclay 0-4-0ST continues service at Stourport Power Station with a Peckett spare, and one of the big Bagnalls at British Leyland, Longbridge can be seen in steam almost every day.
With steam going at such a fast rate we have decided to try and arrange visits to some places where steam remains in working order. Below is a list of places we are negotiating to see:
British Celanese, Spondon, Derby.
We have finalised details for a visit here on Saturday, June 24th (1972) when a loco will be specially steamed for us. We expect quite a large turn-out for this visit as visits here are not normally permitted. There will be a 10 pence levy per person for this event.
We also expect to have a visit to Cadley Hill Colliery, near Burton-on-Trent on Saturday, October 28th, again it is hoped, with one loco specially steamed.
Before this visit, we hope to fit one in to the Cannock Area pits but negotiations are still in the early stages for this.
These visits are open to members and non-members alike.
From the ‘Mercian’ June 1972
I thought that it might be interesting to see the state of the rolling stock at that time, so here is the rolling stock report from the magazine.
Locomotives
Asbestos – The renewal of right hand hornblocks is complete and the wheels have been replaced. A trial steaming is scheduled for June 5th and it should be in steam for the Chasewater Festival on July 8th.
Neilson – No work has been carried out for two years. The saddle tank was removed and ten studs drilled out of the sides of the boiler and new ones fitted. These studs secure the water feed clock boxes, stolen before the loco left Glasgow. Fortunately Trevor Cousens was able to obtain replacements for us. Shortage of labour has precluded further work being carried out but we hope to restart soon.
Barclay & Neilson
E1 – No change. A boiler survey may be made soon.
Barclay – The firebox was condemned at its last boiler test. As the ‘Barclay’ soon to be delivered is of similar size, it will be used to supply spare parts to keep the newer loco running.
Hudswell Clarke – No work has been carried out for over three years. A hydraulic test was carried out and the results were not promising. The boiler will need re-tubing and a considerable amount of mechanical work will be necessary.
Petrol No.1 – The petrol tank and associated plumbing were cleaned out recently and the engine run. It will start by hand when warm. Unfortunately the carburettor appears to be icing up when the engine is subjected to load. The carb. Is probably not the original and information as to the whereabouts of a replacement would be welcome.
Diesel No.1 – Out of service with a smashed axlebox. Once again information as to the whereabouts of a replacement would be welcome.
Diesel No.20 – One of the spare engines is being overhauled ready for fitting. Messrs. Bass Charrington have kindly donated a quantity of their blue paint and both locos will be painted when time permits.
Diesel No.21 – An overhaul was carried out last year, the cylinder heads and fuel pump being renewed, and more recently repairs were carried out to the clutch once again.
Coaching Stock
Midland Royal Saloon
Royal (or Special) Saloon – On loan to Derby Corporation for the Midland Railway Project. They have undertaken to restore it
TPO – The small relics collection now looks quite orderly though the outside of the vehicle is in urgent need of attention.
LNWR 50’ Brake – One end has been painted out and will be used this summer to house the sales stand, a model railway and a display of relics.
Maryport & Carlisle – Restoration is nearly complete. The roof was covered with galvanised sheets last summer, but the completion has been held up by the weather. It saw considerable use last year carrying passengers on Open Days.
GER Brake – Now in use again as the Mess (!) Van. It is in urgent need of re-roofing. The outside was painted dark brown last year.
MSL – No further work has been carried out. The bearing brasses are missing.
MR Brake – No change.
LNWR Brake Third – No change. The LNWR Coaching Stock Fund is attempting to raise cash for the restoration of this coach.
Travelling Post Office at Hednesford
Goods Stock
GWR Brake – The interior has been repainted and the roof covered with galvanised sheets.
MR Crane – A new wire rope has been fitted and the woodwork painted. Although it is 90 years old it still sees considerable use.
LYR Van – Now in use as a workshop and tool store.
MR Van – In use as a stores, mainly diesel. It has been painted externally.
CCWR Brake – Repainted externally last summer. Used as PW tool van.
NSR Coal Wagon – No change.
The remaining four vehicles, two flat wagons and two 12 ton coal wagons are used on the works trains.
Neilson on Goods
It seems that my forecast for the movement of the smaller items of stock from Hednesford to Chasewater was way off the beam. Let me hasten to add that several snags cropped up which had to be examined with regard to the transport.
Those of you who are familiar with the layout of the yard at Hednesford will know that there is an acute angle bend to be negotiated by any road vehicle which is delivering to or conveying from the yard any bulky items. This unfortunately precludes all but the smallest type of low-loader, and the one that we had lined up for moving the four wheelers would not go round the corner.
We have, through the good offices of our President, made another approach to a different operator and we hope that he has a vehicle which can do the job. If this fails then we shall have to dig out the point to the spur upon which the wagons are standing, this having sunk into the thick mud, so that we can shunt the wagons onto the main siding for removal by rail with the other stock. The Coal Board have informed us that they will move the stock up to Cannock Wood Colliery yard either the first or second week of May and we now await clearance from British Rail that the stock is fit to run over the line to the Colliery which is their property. Once the stock is at the Colliery yard it will be put under lock and key in the compound and the smaller items, such as the six-wheelers, E1, and, if necessary the four-wheelers will be shipped from there to Chasewater by road as there are better loading facilities at the Colliery yard to manoeuvre a big low-loader.
I sincerely hope that my forecast that most of the smaller stock will be at Chasewater by the time you either read this or receive the next edition will in fact be true for we shall require some of it for use at the Festival of Sport and also for the late Bank Holiday in August.
To impress upon you the need for better turnouts at working parties, you will find included in this issue (following) a run down on the various items of rolling stock and brief details of work which urgently needs to be either started and carried through, or which has already been started and which needs completing.
It is an impossible task for the present working parties to cope with the amount of work available, and I plead to all members with cars to try and get along to the site prepared to put in at least a couple of hours graft. The weather seems to be picking up so we must pray for plenty of sunshine as we rely on this due to the present lack of covered space where we can operate if it rains. May I count on your help over the next few Saturdays and Sundays???
May I, before closing this report, welcome on your behalf our newly co-opted Social Organiser, Gordon Loach. Gordon has had many years experience in running carnivals, garden parties and other such fund raisers, and with the help of his good lady Mrs. Loach and, we hope, a ladies committee, he will be able to bring a bit of social life to the society which is lacking at the present.
Hon. Sec. A.A.Chatfield
Rolling Stock Report (as promised)
Chasewater Site
The following schedule of commitments refers only to the present stock on site; these will be greatly enhanced when certain other stock has been safely delivered from Hednesford. We have a tight schedule to keep if we are going to provide a steam operated line this year and it is imperative that we get under way as soon as possible.
Asbestos
Boiler lagging and fittings have been removed and all applicable joints packed for a hydraulic test. The initial inspection has been carried out by the boiler inspector who has okayed the boiler as fit, subject to some plugs being replaced and another test run before he issues the certificate.
The boiler barrel and underside of the tank are being red-leaded and painted. Work is under the supervision of Mike Lewis who will need another two reliable assistants as soon as possible. Work on lowering the tank, etc. will be done as soon as the boiler inspector has finished his tests.
Barclay – Colin McAndrew
This has been completely dismantled in preparation for repairs to the firebox stays by an outside contractor. All the old tubes have also been withdrawn and will be replaced when the other repairs are done. A lot of work will then be required to put the loco together ready for the boiler tests and final restoration including painting. Mike Lewis is again supervising and needs two more assistants.
Neilson, Hudswell & Lance
Work on these three will have to be confined to oiling, greasing and generally touching up of paintwork, etc. until work has been satisfactorily done on the other two locos. Volunteers are required for this.
Diesel No.1
This is at present out of commission with gear and clutch trouble. Have we any reliable members who have knowledge of the workings of diesels and who could take this loco in hand? Our regular fitters are already taxed to the limit with the other diesels.
Diesels Nos. 20/21
Minor repairs to the injectors and other routine work is well in hand on these two. Both are due for a complete repaint and again volunteers conversant with the trade are asked to come forward. Arthur Chatfield would be pleased to hear from you.
Petrol No.1
Cleaning down work is now well in hand. This loco has to be ready for exhibition at Dorman’s Ltd., Stafford for week commencing June 22nd. This leaves very little time for the two regulars seconded to the job. More help is needed here; again, volunteers are required most urgently.
Other Rolling Stock
This has been lumped together because the variety of jobs required on most of the vehicles is almost identical. Two of the coaches are sheeted over due to leaking roofs, anybody care to take on the job of re-felting them? It will need at least two people. There are also a considerable number of loose or cracked panels which need attention before they are painted in undercoat. The running board on the Great Western brake needs repairing and re-bolting and of course a real good start on painting the interiors of the passenger stock would not be amiss. There is enough work to allocate at least three people to each item of stock or a gang of five regulars tackling each item in order of urgency. We cannot spare this number from the present compliment; we need more of you on site to help us do this vital work.
It may also be stated that there is a lot of work to be done to the Trackwork and again more help is needed.
No offer of assistance will be refused – this cannot be afforded.
A. Holden – General Manager, Chasewater Site.
MSL Carriage at Easingwold
This Mercian seems to cover March/April and May/June 1969.
There as a new Editor for the magazine and the poor man in charge appears to have similar problems to any other magazine – a lack of articles!
Secretary’s Report – T.G.Cousens
After slow progress during the winter months at Chasewater, in which time only the arrival of the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincoln Railway coach broke the monotony of packing the track with red ash, progress is again in evidence.
The appointment of Mr.A.Holden to General Manager has seen marked changes in only a few short weeks, the most noticeable being the complete levelling of the compound and laying of track foundation into it. Behind the scenes however, small departments have been formed to work on various aspects of the line with people responsible for each of the allocated tasks.
However, working parties are small so progress will be slow – do we have to wait until the line is operating to see 90% of the membership?! Why not come down one Sunday afternoon and do a bit of shovelling, things will then begin to come to life.
A successful Open Day was held in conjunction with Messrs. Courtaulds Ltd., Coventry and organised by Gerald Wildish with the Company. Many visitors arrived to photograph the two Pecketts, one, ‘Rocket’ was seen at work on the Foleshill Railway. Many items were sold from the RPS stand which resulted in a fair profit to us.
The exhibition team was also at work at Huyton, Liverpool, at the preservation exhibition, the Open Day at Chasewater during the Easter week-end and the Stafford Railway Circle exhibition.
Well done to the members who attended these stands, especially the Huyton one.
The Barclay ‘Colin McAndrew’ was in steam on Easter Sunday and Monday under the able direction of Mike Lewis and Derek Luker. She unfortunately blew a tube on the Sunday but after a quick trip by Rob Duffill (our hero!!) to Hixon for a spare, the locomotive crew replaced the defective tube and raised steam for a second time the same day! No stock was hauled because of work required on the track – members please note. Until this work is done Open Days will be severely restricted, so may we see more of you assisting at Chasewater.
A Barclay 1223-1911 Greening Wireworks Warrington
From the Public Relations Officer’s Page – G. Wildish
The first mention was of the next Open Days, June 28th and 29th 1969, with the expectation of large numbers of visitors and asking for members to come along and help.
There was a request for more photographs for the cover of the magazine, which unfortunately do not reproduce very well. The Foleshill Railway Open Day had to be cut short and apologies were given to anyone affected.
A number of publications were mentioned – ‘Preserved locomotives of the World’ and ’Narrow Gauge Steam 1969’ for which a second impression is being prepared, later to be followed by ‘Narrow Gauge Steam 1970’
A publication for continental travellers – ‘German Steam’ has been prepared by an RPS member, so the Society is getting half of the profits, with thanks.
The final two publications were – ‘Railway Modeller’ which contained an article by Gerald Wildish and ‘Railway Enthusiasts Guide 1969/70’ which contained some information about the RPS.
There was an appeal for funds to move a locomotive of the Taff Vale Railway, and another appeal for volunteers to join a ‘paint in’ at Chasewater to give the rolling stock a much needed coat of paint.
By Gerald Wildish
At Trafford Park
Many of you will by now have seen our splendid new locomotive. Two years ago exactly to the day that she left Trafford Park, I first found ‘Asbestos’ – 15th June 1966. She was not working on that particular occasion and had been specially hauled out of the shed for me and put in a photographic position. She appeared in excellent condition. On the occasion of my visit I learnt that she was likely to finish working that September, and I duly put in a bid for the RPS. I was informed that the Society’s interest had been noted.
A little over a year later a letter arrived from Turner’s asking me if I would care to bid for the engine – I made an offer of £50, and shortly afterwards received a telephone call informing me that a scrap merchant had offered £100 – we could have her if we could reach that figure. By this time we were in October and I was already engaged in trying to raise funds for the Neilson. My reply said that if they could hold the locomotive until after our Christmas raffle, we would do our best, but I did not hold out a great deal of hope. Considering all things, the raffle was a success, but we did not raise the sums necessary to allow us to move in two directions and I informed the Company that we would have to let her go.
My surprise could not have been greater, when Mr. Francis, the manager of the buying department, rang me to say that we could have ‘Asbestos’ free of charge. Without doubt this was one of the happiest days of my life. I made arrangements to go to Trafford Park to arrange the handover and had an excellent morning. The handover was arranged for a date three weeks later when the presentation plaque could be fixed to the locomotive.
I could not have been dealing with nicer people throughout the negotiations, right from the time of my first visit to the works. Our thanks must go to Mr. A.H.Wailes, the Works Director, Mr. T.Noble, the Purchasing Director, Mr. T.N.Chadwick, the Works Manager, who also arranged for the locomotive to be ‘done up’ for us during the week before the handover, to Mr. W.D.Francis, the Purchasing Manager, who dealt with most of the negotiations and Mr. S.McCormick.
Little is known of the history of ‘Asbestos’. She was built by Hawthorn Leslie in 1909, for the Washington Chemical Co. in County Durham, where she became No.2, along with two other Hawthorn Leslies and a Fox Walker engine. A further Hawthorn Leslie was added in 1918, and presumably replaced the Fox Walker. In 1920, the Company became part of the Turner and Newall group.
In 1933, two of the locomotives were transferred to the Turner’s Asbestos Cement Company works at Trafford Park, becoming ‘Turnall’ and ‘Asbestos’. Turnall was scrapped in 1965, leaving ‘Asbestos’ with two diesel locomotives (Planets). ‘Asbestos’ was placed in store as the reserve engine in 1966 and presented to the RPS on 25th May of this year(1968); she was transferred to Chasewater on 15th June, and started work in revenue service eight days later.
Brownhills West 2009
Chasewater Railway Museum 