'Calbourne' - Return to steam delayed until 2007
Len Pullinger. Chief Mechanical Engineer reports:
The main contractor for W24's boiler work, LNWR CO. Ltd., at Crewe, has recently issued a revised report with regard to the proposed repairs to the boiler. I visited Crewe Works with the boiler inspector in September to discuss the latest picture. The original repair proposal has been modified to overcome unforeseen practical problems with the construction of the firebox. Unexpected deterioration of the boiler barrel in the last ten years has also been taken account of, resulting in the decision to renew the barrel in its entirety, a considerably larger job than envisaged before the boiler was exposed earlier this year. The contractor's latest estimate for the timescale is at least twelve months work at Crewe, which unfortunately misses our target date for completion, May 2006. At best we can expect a return to steam during the 2006 season. We accept the proposals, which will inevitably cost more, and the contractor's estimate now stands at £70,310, which pushes up the total capital cost over £100,00. We are therefore keeping the Boiler Appeal going in order that the additional cost can be met in full. I acknowledge the considerable variation from the original plan, and the disappointing delay in proceedings, but I believe this course of action will produce a far better and longer lasting result. We have had over thirty years of patching up and making do in order to keep 'Calbourne' on the road as much as possible, now it's time to invest in the future with a project worthy of restoration in the best possible sense.
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W24 'Calbourne'
approaches Long Arch, Ashey on 4th June 2002. 'Calbourne' was
withdrawn from service for boiler overhaul in August of that year.
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Simon Futcher, Appeal Co-ordinator reports:
It has been difficult to push on with the Boiler Appeal over the past few months as we were not sure how much the final bill would be. Although, as Len Pullinger, the IOWSR's CME, has reported, the final figure is far higher than we originally thought (Isn't it always!) - we do at least now know where we are again. The good news is that, including the lottery grant, we have now raised just on £80,000, which leaves us £20,000 to go. Please send what you can as soon as possible. My time as fundraiser for the railway has taught me that the last few thousand pounds of an appeal are always the hardest, so please dig deep to get 'Calbourne' back on the rails. Don't forget that if you are a tax payer we can reclaim Income Tax on any donations through the Gift Aid scheme. Forms are available at Havenstreet or by clicking HERE.
For details of the May 2004 launch of the 'Calbourne' Boiler Appeal click HERE.
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'Calbourne' minus
boiler outside the C&W Workshop - August 2005.
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For a detailed history of W24 'Calbourne' and the other members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic locomotive fleet click HERE.