The 4709 group has announced that Great Western Railway 4700 Class locomotive No.4709 will be leaving Llangollen Railway to travel to its new home at Leaky Finders.

Following discussions and a meeting, the Group and Leaky Finders have made an agreement which will see 4709 advance from being a frame to a rolling chassis.

Unfortunately, the move to Leaky Finders has been delayed by the current lockdown, but 4709 will move once the lockdown is lifted and transport rearranged. 

Despite this setback, some components have arrived at Leaky Finders Hele Workshop before the lockdown, allowing work to start on a number of parts.

Although relatively new in conducting steam preservation work, the team and workshop have the equipment and knowledge to carry out any work 4709 might need on the road to forming the rolling chassis. This includes the construction of a purpose-built workshop for steam locomotive work, which when completed later this year will bring the company’s equipment into one building.

Restoration of rocker shaft and its covers has begun with re-metalling work, with the new rocker cover caps to be machined by Leaky Finders.

Work may also begin on the valve gearing components onsite at Hele. 

For more information or to support The 4709 Group, please visit their website here.

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