Simon Futcher, Appeal Co-ordinator reports:

Appeal progress was steady during 2005 with about £15,000 added to the total raised so far. However we still have at least £20,000 to go and we must continue to make every effort to reach our target by the end of this year. Plans are afoot to introduce some new collecting boxes for the forthcoming season which will mean we can move the red bins that have always looked rather unsightly around the Havenstreet Station area. Hopefully, this will lead to increased income from our visitors but as ever we are appealing to you to help. The latter stages of any appeal are always the slowest and most difficult, so we now need to maintain the momentum - so if you have not yet made your contribution then please send us something now! If you have already made a donation could you contribute a little more? Lets not lose sight of our goal - the return to steam of 'Calbourne' as soon as possible!

'Calbourne's chassis is currently in the Mechanical Engineering Works at Havenstreet where some repair work has been taking place.

In his last report our CME, Len Pullinger, explained how the original repair proposal had been modified to overcome unforeseen practical problems with the construction of the firebox and that deterioration of the boiler barrel during the last ten years of service had resulted in the decision to renew the barrel in its entirety, a considerably larger job than envisaged before the boiler was sent north to our boilerwork contractor, LNWR CO. Ltd., at Crewe. Len, accompanied by Works Foreman Andrew Summers, visited Crewe on 28th February 2006 to review progress so far on 'Calbourne's boiler repair. It has now been stripped down into its component parts and all of the boiler and firebox platework assessed for condition. As a result of this process it has been decided that a new copper doorplate and tubeplate are to be incorporated into the repair.

It is pleasing to see such positive progress on both the appeal and the repair of the boiler, but we can't afford to be complacent so please dig deep and help get 'Calbourne' back to where she should be - heading trains on our railway. Donations can be forwarded to me at Havenstreet Station, address below, and don't forget that if you are a tax payer 'Calbourne' can benefit further as we can reclaim Income Tax on your donation through the Gift Aid scheme. Forms are available at Havenstreet or by clicking HERE.

Please send your donations to:

 

For details of the May 2004 launch of the 'Calbourne' Boiler Appeal click HERE

The following appeal updates and details of progress made on the boiler repair can be viewed on this site:

For a detailed history of W24 'Calbourne' and the other members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic locomotive fleet click HERE.

Regular updates on the restoration, repair and maintenance of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic locomotive and carriage fleet are published regularly in Mechanical Times, the on-line newsletter of the Mechanical Engineering Department.