June 2025

Efforts on the eight plank wagon focused on continued de-rusting and priming of the chassis, which progressed well over several working days. Good headway was also made fitting the vacuum pipework, and later some of the wooden panels were installed, helping to advance the overall restoration of the wagon now fondly referred to as “Bill Trite’s eight plank.”

On 30075, the dome cover was prepared and refitted, and attention turned to a series of steam fittings: the refurbished clack valve and steam heat control valve were both installed, with other known minor leaks around the locomotive also receiving attention. Ahead of the planned steam test, nuts on the steam dome top plate and cylinder covers were checked for tightness, the boiler was topped up with water, and a gentle warming fire was lit.

During the steam test, with the fire fed on wood and coal, steam pressure reached 197 psi, lifting a safety valve as expected. Some leaks became evident, including at the front steam heat pipe attachment, which was quickly resolved on site, but others remained around a clack valve joint, a brake ejector connection, and most notably at the steam dome lid.

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This lid was later removed, cleaned, and prepared for machining by Richard Vincent to skim its mating face. The steam heat valve was also removed and sent for similar attention to its seat, and the right hand clack valve was taken off to address a gasket leak. Metal plastic was applied to the steam dome face in preparation for final sealing, and cladding work commenced on the steam pipes.

Project 62 was also represented at the funeral of the group’s former chairman, Bill Trite, held at St Mary’s Church, Swanage, with several members attending to pay their respects.

On the 28th June perhaps one of the more momentous achievements was made when the last section of railway line was installed by the North Dorset Railway, creating a complete railway line for 300m North from the station.