This brand new chimney is part of a major project to re-create an example of the final design of branch line tank engine, known as the British Railways Standard class 2 tank.
30 of these locomotives were built, 20 at Crewe in 1953 and 10 at Darlington during 1957. All were scrapped between 1963 and 1965.

However, during the 1960's a South Wales scrap merchant bought more than 200 redundant steam locomotives, of which 4 were of the tender version and used the same boiler, cylinders, wheels etc as the tank engine.  Unique circumstances allowed these locomotives to remain in existence for many years, and thus gave us the opportunity for them to be purchased for preservation.  Number 78059 was the last of the 4 to leave the scrap yard in 1983,  but the price of £9500 paid by the Bluebell members did not include the tender.  This had been removed and sold to an unknown buyer some years before.

The absence of a tender gave rise to the idea of converting the locomotive in to the tank version, a costly exercise.  Costs were assessed and it was concluded that it would be cheaper to convert it than to construct a new tender.  This combined with the fact that a tank locomotive would be more suitable for Bluebell operations where the engine would be required to run backwards for half its day's duties, plus the desire to re-create an otherwise extinct class of engine resulted in the decision to proceed.

As with all restoration projects the remains are dismantled, as you can see, they are then cleaned and inspected by Bluebell engineers.  Some of the parts will be refitted after simply repainting, others can be repaired and reused,  but some are suitable only as patterns from which new ones can be remanufactured.  This project however needs many additional new parts because we are changing the design.  Fortunately the National Railway Museum holds many of the drawings from which the original locomotives were made and we have purchased a number of these already.

Work at present is concerned with inspection, refurbishment and refitting valve gear.  New parts are being made for the rear pony truck and attention is also being given to the frames (chassis) with a view to putting back the wheels, which have already been repaired and the axles ultrasonically tested.
The frames need to be extended by about 8 feet.  This will be made as a separate unit complete with a rear buffer beam and the assembly welded to the existing frames by a certified welder.  This practice was commonly used as a method of repair by Britain's railways.  Completion of the new rear pony truck, for which we already have the wheels, axle boxes, springs and a number of smaller parts, will produce the "rolling chassis".  Work will then concentrate on making the new water tanks, cab and coalbunker.  The last item to be repaired will be the boiler, which preliminary inspections have shown is very worthy of repair.

Completion of this project will take many years and cost well in excess of £100,000 but it will produce a unique example of a historically important locomotive.
We hope you found this summary of the Class 2 project of interest and perhaps feel you are able to help Bluebell members recreate an "ideal" locomotive with the aid of a small donation.