PRCLT News

November 2012

The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
is delighted to announce that the West Shed Museum has recently been awarded
FULL ACCREDITATION by Arts Council England.

The Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for UK museums and to qualify, museums must meet standards on how they are managed, for the services they offer and on how they care for collections.

The PRCLT last achieved Accreditation in 2008 but the scheme has recently been developed to keep pace with the times, to help museums develop their resilience through effective forward planning, to balance aspects of collection management and to encourage all museums to be responsive to user needs and expectations. The PRCLT was amongst the first round of museums invited to apply for Accreditation under the newly updated scheme and we are proud to have achieved this award.

BACKGROUND:
The Museum Registration Scheme was established in 1988. Since then it has supported museums across the UK to focus on standards and identify areas for development. In 2004, the scheme was renamed Accreditation to better reflect its purpose. The scheme is currently administered by Arts Council England in partnership with CyMAL: Museum, Archives, Libraries Wales; Museums Galleries Scotland and the Northern Ireland Museum Council. For more information please see the Arts Council’s website at: www.artscouncil.org.uk

August 2012

The Trust is delighted to announce
that the project carried out between 2008
and 2010 to conserve, restore and interpret
the LMS No.1 Dynamometer Car 45050 has
been named as the Overall Winner of the Heritage Railway Association’s
‘Carriage and Wagon Competition’ 2010.

During the project this important and historic locomotive testing vehicle, built by the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company in 1912, was restored to its appearance circa 1938. As it had previously deteriorated into a poor condition, the restoration has safeguarded its future and enabled public access inside the vehicle. Other important activities included the setting up of interpretive exhibits to explain how the dynamometer worked and the development of National Curriculum linked educational activities and resources for school groups. Interpretation in the West Shed Museum includes a film explaining the history of the dynamometer car which features a simulated test run with retired B.R. Testing & Peformance Engineers, life sized figures representing a ‘test team’ inside the vehicle, a history booklet and camera/ screen installation for a virtual access view inside.

This project was funded by a grant of £154,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund with additional contributions from the MLA PRISM Fund and Renaissance East Midlands. PRCLT volunteers helped throughout the project and provided many hours of labour.

The award will be presented to the PRCLT at the HRA’s Autumn General meeting, along with the other winners of the competition, which are:

Winning Coach
LMS Open Coach 7511 - Severn Valley Railway.
A first class restoration earning its living in dining service

Commended Coach – Mark 1 Travelling Post Office – Railway Vehicle Preservations Ltd., Great Central Railway.
An excellent interpretation of an important aspect of railway history

Winning Wagon
War Department Class H bogie tank wagon - Apedale Valley Light Railway.
An important piece on narrow gauge history restored by the Moseley Railway Trust.

Winning Self Propelled Vehicle
Cardiff Water Car – Crich Tramway Village.
To the Tramway Museum’s usual high standards - and recently in use in Blackpool in the role for which it was designed.

The Heritage Railway Association represents the majority of heritage and tourist railways, tramways and railway preservation groups within both the U.K and Ireland.

July 2012

Early July 2012 saw Royal Secial Saloon No. 45000 on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

For the full story click the photo.

March 2012

As the final test run after the 'Heavy General'
overhaul of 46233 'Duchess of Sutherland',
a loaded train was run on Thursday 29th March 2012.
It ran to time and was a total success. 46233 is
now ready for the very busy year ahead.
Here we see 'The Night Owl' at Findern shortly after
departing Derby.
Photo: David Hipkiss

March 2012

Saturday 3rd March 2012 saw the Duchess of Sutherland
rolled out in her resplendant new BR green livery. The day
was a great success with more than anticipated visitors
paying the entrance fee to capture this important
event. The locomotive will have her mainline 'Light
Engine' run on Tuesday 13th March, with a loaded
test run (The Duchess Night Owl) on Thursday
29th March.
Photo: Paul Wood

January 2012

PRCLT locomotive BR standard tank 80080 continues to
be steamed on a regular basis at the East Lancashire
Railway. Here we see her standing in a siding to the
north of Ramsbottom station awaiting her next duty as
black five 45231 'The Sherwood Forester' starts a
Rawtenstall bound train. 22nd January 2012.
Photo: John Stiles

August 2011

Over the weekend of August 13th /14th the ‘Midland Railex’
model railway exhibition took place over the whole of the
Midland Railway site, with numerous layouts and trade stands
in every building.

At the West Shed, our library was taken over by a rather large
layout belonging to the East Midlands group of the G-Scale Society 'http://www.g-scale-society.co.uk'. Our own ‘Duchess’
also made an appearance in the form of our Aster Gauge
1 model making an appearance on the G-Scale layout!

On a slightly smaller scale, further interest was provided by
volunteer Phil Eccleston’s Royal Train model display and the
ever expanding West Shed model built by Phil and Graham Pool.

In contrast to the model layouts, visitors were also able to
have a go at driving a full size locomotive using the ‘Railworks’
computer simulator, thanks to Paul Godber of 'http://www.ironhorsehouse.co.uk/' who set up 2 plasma
screens in the Stanier Gallery for visitors to have a go at
‘driving’ throughout the weekend.  
Photo: East Midlands group of the G-Scale Society

May 2011

On Saturday 14th May a hastily arranged
'photoshoot' was well attended at the West Shed.
Here we see both of the only surviving Stanier
'Princess Royal' class pacifics stood together.
Not unique, but nevertheless a rare occurrence!
Photo: John Stiles

For operational reasons, 6201 Princess Elizabeth
is stabled at the West Shed for probably two weeks.
Here we see her on Sunday 8th May, the day after
she arrived, cooling down on the apron at the
front of the shed.
Photo: Simon Scott

Later that day, 6201 Princess Elizabeth
was shunted into the large exhibits hall
at West Shed, on the road adjacent to her
sister 46203 Princess Margaret Rose.
Photo: Simon Scott

February 2011

80080 seen at Summerseat on the East Lancs Railway
with a demonstration freight during the morning of
Sunday 27th February 2011.
Photo: John Stiles

Later that day we see 80080 at Irwell Vale with a passenger
train heading for Rawtenstall.
Photo: John Stiles

January 2011

80080 is currently at the SVR undergoing final boiler trials. She will be moving to the East Lancs Railway once the trials have been completed.
Photo: Simon Towell

80080 seen at the SVR during the boiler trials.
Photo: Simon Towell

21" 6203 'Princess Margaret Rose' runs past standard
gauge 6201 'Princess Margaret Rose' driven by Mark Rose
at the West Shed on Saturday 14th August 2010.
Photo: Paul Wood

21" 6203 'Princess Margaret Rose' stands along side
shed mate 6201 'Princess Elizabeth' at the West Shed
on Saturday 14th August 2010. Photo: Paul Wood

July 2010

80080 stands in the workshops at the West Shed complete
with its boiler on Friday 2nd July 2010.
Photo: Simon Towell

June 2010

Having been lifted from the low loader the boiler is being positioned ready to receive the smoke box for the trail
fitting into the frames of 80080 on
Wednesday 16th June 2010.
Photo: John Stiles

PRCLT engineers Simon Towell and Nigel Barber assess the
situation as the boiler is lowered very slowly and carefully into
the frames of 80080 on Friday 18th June 2010.
Photo: Paul Wood

With the boiler in the frames and in the workshops at the
West Shed, Simon and Nigel are seen drilling the smoke box
and boiler in readyness for riveting. 19th June 2010.
Photo: Paul Wood

Fylde photographer and PRCLT patron Peter Fitton re-created the glory days of steam specials to Blackpool by arranging for LMS Pacific 6233 to carry the reporting number '964' on her top bracket on the June 5th trip to Blackpool 'The Fylde Coast Express' .This PMR Tours special from Sheffield and Derby was steam hauled from Crewe and back to Derby.

He originally photographed a fairly clean Gorton-shedded B1 61265 passing Bradkirk signal box, which was between Kirkham and Weeton, on 5th June 1960. The train was an excursion from Sheffield to Blackpool North, probably running via Woodhead and changing from electric to steam power at Guide Bridge.

It was essential to carry a reporting number to ensure that the train ended up at the correct station at Blackpool in the days when there were many such extras! This should have read M964, but on the plates normally used by Eastern Region sheds there wasn't room for the M!

Bradkirk signal cabin was situated on the Preston & Wyre Railway (L&Y and LNWR joint) route west of Kirkham, between the tracks to Blackpool North (opened in 1840), on which 964 is seen, and those to Central via the direct (Marton) line (opened with the box in 1903 and closed and removed in the late 1960s). The 1846 branch to Lytham turned off here, but that was later replaced by a more direct line. The box controlled the signals on both lines; these were not directly connected here. It was some half a mile from any road.

The older picture shows the infrastructure of the time, all of which went with the closure.
However, in the 1970s, some track was put back on the original down line to access a ballast tip, but this has seen no use since 1997, and is now in poor condition.This can be seen in the 2010 view.

In 2009 a new footbridge was erected to replace the old lattice sided one which had become life expired, seemingly its' only use being by railway enthusiasts!

December 2009

September 2009

Foundations have been dug and steelwork is being contructed to form a coal bunker for exclusive use by PRCLT. This will make the coaling of our locomotives more efficient in the future. Currently coal stocks are tipped on the ground which inevitably creates wastage. With the cost of coal increasing steadily this wastage will be minimised. A teleporter has been purchased to carry out the loading.

30th July 2009

80080 - Progress

With the boiler of 80080 currently at the Severn Valley Railway Boilershop, where much progress is being made, work continues to have the rolling chassis ready to accept the boiler on its return to West Shed.

The pony truck is seen immediately after its refitting under the
frames of 80080 in the workshop at West Shed. 30th July 2009.
Photo: Simon Towell

9th July 2009

CARING FOR
COLLECTIONS AWARD
has been won by
The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust
for the project conserving the 1912 London,
Midland & Scottish Railway Dynamometer car 45050 at the Renaissance Heritage Awards for Derbyshire.

The Renaissance Heritage Awards were launched in the East Midlands in 2007 and are supported by Renaissance East Midlands (led by the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council). The aim of the awards is to celebrate all the wonderful work taking place in museums, historic houses and heritage sites across Derbyshire and to reward best practice. The awards run separately in each East Midlands county and categories include best event; best exhibition; caring for collections; inspiration award for best special project; and museum of the year. All the awards are judged by key county representatives who visit the short-listed museums. The awards ceremony took placeon Thursday 9th July 2009 at Creswell Crags, where we received a plaque and cash prize, and we will get promotion regionally and nationally through Renaissance East Midlands and local media. We entered our project for the Caring for Collections category as the dynamometer car has now been conserved for the future whilst also enabling public access inside the vehicle, including school groups, to be able to interpret its history. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their vital input!

This project was made possible following
a grant of £154,000 being awarded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund in March 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Radford and Kate Smith with the
'Caring For Collections Award'
Photo: PRCLT

1st July 2009

6233 Duchess of Sutherland on a wheel lathe

It has been necessary for the tyres of 6233 Duchess of Sutherland to be re-profiled. On Tuesday 30th July she left West Shed, with support coach and made the journey to Ilford. The motion was removed on arrival and she was shunted onto the underground wheel lathe at Bombardier on the morning of 1st July. All of the locomotives tyres are to be turned. The tender tyres do not require attention although the opportunity is to be taken to reprofile the tyres of the support coach.

6233 Duchess of Sutherland on the underground wheel
lathe at Bombardier Ilford, 11.16am on 1st July 2009.
Photo: Simon Towell

31st January 2009

Support Coach 99041

With Dynanometer car 45050 now in the large exhibits hall at West Shed after the completion of the exterior paint work, the opportunity to repaint the trusts support coach 99041 has been taken. The vehicle is being prepared for the first of 2 coats of undercoat.

Replacing 45050 on road 2 in West Shed workshops,
coach No. 99041, the regularly used support coach behind
6233 Duchess of Sutherland is being prepared for painting.
Trust volunteer and Patron Charlie Teer is pictured wearing
his 'romper' suit and using his recently aquired skills
restoring the exterior of this hard working vehicle.
Photo: Malcolm Baker

24th January 2009

80098 moves to the East Lancashire Railway

At the East Lancashire Railway 'January Steam Event' 80098 was busy taking part in an intensive timetable. Other locomotives in use were 45231, 45407, 47324, 71000, Austerity 2183 and Pecket 1370. The locomotive will return to West Shed after Easter.

80098 taking water at Heywood on the East Lancashire
Railway on 24th January 2009 before running round
her train for the return trip to Bury Bolton Street Station.
Photo: Paul Wood

17th January 2009

West Shed News

6233 - Winter maintenance

To ensure the reliability of 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' throughout the 2009 tour season much maintenance is being carried out on her in the workshops at West Shed. On Saturday 17th January she was lifted, using the Matteson jacks, to enable the front bogie to be removed to give access to the inside cylinders.

'Duchess of Sutherland', rising very slowly on the jacks in the
workshops at West Shed. The front bogie has been disconnected.
Photo: Paul Wood

Once the locomotive has reached the desired height to give
sufficient clearance, the bogie is wheeled out.
The locomotive is then lowered back onto the rails.
Photo: Paul Wood

The 'New and the Old'

With nearly 96 years difference in age, two coaches stand side by side in the workshops of the West Shed. A contract has been won for work to be carried out on a brand new London Underground coach.

On the left, a modern London Underground coach and on
the right the Trust's L&Y Dynanometer Car 45050.
Work continues with thepainting of 45050 ascan be seen
in the photograph.
Photo: PRCLT

Another view of the brand new London Underground
vehicle on the Trusts Matteson jacks in the workshops
at the West Shed.
Photo: PRCLT

9th December 2008

Live Steam model of a 'Duchess' gifted to the Trust.

A fine three and a half inch gauge 'live steam' model has been gifted to the Trusts museum.
Michael Oliver received a Fathers Day present from his daughter - 2 tickets on a PMR Tours trip hauled of course by 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. He enjoyed his day so much he asked us whether we would accept a model of a 'Duchess' for display in our museum. The answer was of course 'Yes!' Representitives of the Trust were invited to Michaels factory for a tour of his business (very interesting it was too!) and to collect the model.

Left: Michael Oliver officially 'Gifts' the model to the Trust,
shaking hands with Simon Towell, a PRCLT engineer.
Right: Simon Towell, Kate Smith (Trust Curator),
Michael Oliver and Paul Wood (PRCLT Trustee).

Photo's: Paul Wood and the chap who was about to package
the model for transportation!

The trust is most grateful for this gift which, at Michaels instruction, will be renumbered and named '6233 Duchess of Sutherland'. It will then be exhibited in the library and resource centre in the museum at the West Shed.

15th November 2008

Yet another tour season ends.

With the 2008 tours season finished, 6233 Duchess of Sutherland is back home at West Shed. During the winter period much maintenance will be done to ensure she is in tip-top condition for her last year of operation of her current certification.

Positioned over the pit at West Shed, 6233 is seen whilst her
boiler is emptied, with firebox, ashpan and smokebox emptying
and cleaning about to commence on 15th November 2008.
Photo: Paul Wood

20th August 2008

Cathedrals Express Headboard finds a new home!

Sometimes it is necessary to replace the headboards we use on the front of The Duchess of Sutherland. When this occurs, and with the permission of the Trust Patron who makes them for us, the opportunity to include them in a raffle on a train is taken. On the 'Cathedrals Express' from London to Exeter St. Davids and return on 20th August the headboard pictured below was won by Freddie Wright. Unfortunately it is far too large to fit on his bedroom wall so it now takes pride of place on the family's conservatory!

Proudly holding his headboard, Freddie Wright is pictured with
fireman Graham Bunker (centre), and PRCLT
engineer Simon Towell (right), 20th August 2008.
Photo: Tina Wright

West Shed News

12th July 2008

PATRON'S WEEKEND SEES ROYAL SPECIAL SALOON 45000 AND SPECIAL SALOON 6320 IN USE ON MRT METALS

Both preserved coaches were included in the consist for two days of running of the scheduled services on the Midland Railway Centre's metals. Exclusively for the use of the Trust's Patrons, they made a very impressive sight coupled to 6233 Duchess of Sutherland. The re-wheeling of the chassis of 80080 was carried out on the Saturday, giving a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to the Patrons who were able to watch the operation in complete safety from the public viewing gallery in the West Shed workshops. See 80080 progress page for more details.

PRCLT 'Patron's Weekends' are held every year to give the Patrons of the Trust the opportunity to meet the Trustees and catch up on the progress first hand of the projects underway at West Shed. Should you be interested in becoming a patron please see the 'Friends of the Duchess' page.

6233 Duchess of Sutherland pictured crossing the reservoir at
Butterley hauling the Trusts 45000 Royal Special Saloon and
6320 Special Saloon on 12th July 2008.
Photo: Gareth Griffiths

The usual barbeque is enjoyed by the Trusts Patrons at the
Patrons Weekend. A big thank you to those who maintained
the flow of burgers, hot dogs and bacon rolls.
Photo: Paul Wood

Take a look at the NEWS ARCHIVE page for previous news articles