All Wheels Now Secured for 'The Unknown Warrior' - June 2011
The LMS-Patriot Project is well on the way to completing a 4-6-0 rolling chassis thanks to the offer of a 3'3½” diameter bogie wheelset from the Churchill 8F Locomotive Group. 'The Unknown Warrior' already has the other bogie wheelset from Barry Scrapyard 8F number 48518, and with the offer of the second 8F wheelset, this is the final pair of wheels that are needed to complete the new build 4-6-0 'Patriot' locomotive. Six new driving wheels have already been cast and the tender wheelsets survive from the ex Barry Scrapyard 'Fowler' tender that is being restored at Barry for use with 'The Unknown Warrior'. These have now been taken from Barry for Tyesley where the tyres were turned and the journals polished. Mike Hoskin, from the Churchill 8F Group who overhauled ex Turkish 8F number 45160 at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway said, "I'm delighted to be able help the Patriot Project with an 8F wheelset that is needed for 'The Unknown Warrior'. The 8F pony wheels are identical to those used by the 'Patriots' and we are pleased to be able to assist with the last wheelset that is needed for the new locomotive". David Bradshaw, Chairman of The LMS-Patriot Project said, "Thanks to the generous offer from Mike Hoskin and the Churchill 8F Group, we have now reached another major landmark and can now proudly say that we now have all the wheels that are needed for 'The Unknown Warrior'". Fundraising continues for the 6’ 3” wheelbase bogie that will be built from new to house the two ex-8F bogie wheelsets and axle boxes. The aim is to complete the rolling chassis with driving wheels for Spring 2012, with the bogie truck to be assembled after this, thus completing the chassis with a 4-6-0 wheel arrangement for 'The Unknown Warrior'. |
 |
|
