Locomotive No. 4079 - Pendennis Castle

Paul Longworth fitting flexible parts of the vacuum brake hose at the front of the locomotive

The recent progress on 4079 ‘Pendennis Castle’ has been and continues to be in the cab. We have been slowly working through the various controls and valves and there is beginning to be a healthy majority of overhauled components finding their way back where they belong. The back head cladding, while largely complete, is in poor condition and a small group have been tasked with returning it to its former glory.

We have taken delivery of the first batch of components that have been made up for us to start the reconstruction of the live steam feed pipes that sit between the superheater header and the cylinders. These are now in store pending the final boiler lift, as the boiler as it sits right now is a little too far back to accurately use the engine itself to set them up to a great degree of certainty. The fabrication of these will form part of the final tranche of boiler work when the unit is finally fitted again.

Another big focus for us has been pipework with the remaining copper, rubber and steel parts being assessed, replicated and / or repaired as required and then fitted to the loco to provide a visual check on the progress.

The coming few months will finally see the beginning of the installation of the main line equipment, for which we must complete the last round of fundraising. We are hoping to kick off the fundraising efforts by gathering as many people who have direct or family connections to the locomotive either in service or preservation at Didcot Railway Centre on Saturday 25 May. We have already confirmed the attendance of her last fireman in BR service and veteran of the famous 9 May 1964 run, Doug Godden.

If you have a connection to 4079 then please e-mail us at Didcot Railway Centre as it would be great to gather as many of her friends around her as possible for the occasion

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