A Fowler tender that will be restored at Barry for use with 'The Unknown Warrior' is believed to have entered Woodhams scrapyard at Barry behind ex-LMS 2-6-0 'Crab' number 42765 in June 1967. When 42765 was bought for preservation, its tender, LMS number 3446, remained at Barry.
Plans are now being drawn up to commence the restoration of this Fowler tender (seen here in the photos on this page) residing in the former EWS Depot at Barry, now known as the Barry Railway Centre.
Agreement has been reached with John Buxton and Cambrian Transport Ltd., the Project's biggest commercial sponsor, to overhaul the ex-Barry scrap yard Fowler tender that has been earmarked for use with 'The Unknown Warrior'. The tender frames, currently in secure storage at Barry will be restored to mainline condition by Cambrian Transport, using trainee apprentices and local skills in a joint scheme involving Barry College, The Vale of Glamorgan Council and Cambrian Transport.
A new tender body will be built, as the original is badly corroded from the time spent in the open sea air at Barry. Cambrian Transport have been involved in the regeneration of the Barry area for over ten years now and have secured a long term lease on the two–road Heritage Skills Centre Workshop and the Hood Road Goods Shed. Both buildings have excellent facilities for restoration and training work. The project will benefit the local community with the training of youngsters with traditional engineering skills.
The Fowler Tender was formally handed over to Cambrian Transport on 4th May 2010 in a ceremony involving the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cambrian Transport and Directors of the LMS-Patriot Project.
An initial assessment of the tender has found that all the bearings are missing, and five of the six axle box casings are damaged.
Some BR lining is still visible underneath the rusty black paintwork.
The frames appear to be in remarkably good condition for their age and a thorough restoration will soon commence.
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