Holden F5 Trust releases update on steam locomotive No. 789

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Holden F5 Trust releases update on steam locomotive No. 789

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Holden F5 789 steam locomotive at Tyseley
Holden F5 789 steam locomotive at Tyseley. // Credit: Holden F5 Locomotive Trust

The has published its latest report on progress with construction of Great Eastern Railway Class M15R, familiarly known as London and North Eastern Railway F5 Class No .789.

Already manufactured are the frames, cylinder block, smokebox, chimney, and machined wheels, and the frames have been assembled at Tyseley Locomotive Works in Birmingham.

Cylinder covers for Holden F5 No.789 // Credit: Holden F5 Locomotive Trust
Cylinder covers for Holden F5 No.789 // Credit: Holden F5 Locomotive Trust

There has been a delay in obtaining the wheel sets, but engineering continues unhindered, with CAD drawings being developed for various items, including the horn guides.

Cylinder covers and brake shaft brackets have been delivered, with the brake shaft brackets being produced by FSE Foundry at Braintree in Essex, UK. The brake shaft brackets support the brake shaft that runs across the frames beneath the cab.

Brake shaft brackets  for Holden F5 No.789 // Credit: Holden F5 Locomotive Trust
Brake shaft brackets for Holden F5 No.789 // Credit: Holden F5 Locomotive Trust

The team is currently investigating the cost of machining the brake shaft brackets and is looking for quotes for the brake shaft and associated levers.

When the project started, it first needed to obtain the necessary drawings. These were sourced from the Great Eastern Railway Society and the National Railway Museum, and converted to AutoCAD drawings.

Construction originally started in 2003 in a converted barn at Ovington in Essex. Some small components, such as smoke-box door handles and cab window coal guards, were the first to be manufactured, followed in 2004 and 2005 by the valences and buffer beams being completed and assembled and patterns made for the leading and trailing radial wheels.

Spring Gear for Holden F5 No.789. // Credit: Elliot Powick CME
Spring Gear for Holden F5 No.789. // Credit: Elliot Powick CME

In 2012, construction was moved to Mangapps Farm Railway Museum at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex. An agreement was reached with Tyseley Locomotive Works in 2014 for the project to become based there, since when work has continued being fitted in around Tyseley’s contracted jobs.

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  1. We look forward to the possibility of the F5 hauling GER 4 and 6 wheel carriages on the EOR. The Sudbury branch with its viaduct would also be a splendid venue. All credit to the F5 team for their efforts towards making the reliving of GER history a reality.

  2. This is one of my most anticipated new build projects. I’m a big GER fan, and having one of their locos brought to the Present days will be really exciting.

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