Avonside Class B4 No. 1945 0-6-0ST - new hope for a no hoper!

Back in January 2006, the excellent news was that the restoration of this engine had begun. It was in scrapyard condition, with holes in the smokebox big enough to poke your head through, and nearly all the steam fittings absent. Of all the locos at Wansford, AE1945 was in the worst condition. It last ran in 1971, and has not run in preservation. It is believed that its last major overhaul was at Hunslets in 1947 - some 59 years ago! It has smaller wheels than Thomas, so is probably unsuited for 25MPH passenger trains to Peterborough. For these reasons the loco seemed doomed to a life of gradual and permanent decay at the end of the Civils siding.

Then along came Tony Goulding, who had escaped from Mangapps farm. Tony and his dad, Richard, had already restored a Barclay 0-4-0ST from scrap condition there. They have proven steam engine ability, and much to offer the railway. They travel a long way, and they need to stay overnight; the urgency to provide showers, mess, and beds or a place for caravans is clear.

The loco was moved back to Wansford yard in January 2006, and a start was been made on the complete dismantling. Not only was the engine very corroded, it was found to be in very poor mechanical condition. The worst bodge seen was that an axle had worn right through the axle bearing into the axlebox itself! Infact it had chewed its way so far into the axlebox that a lump of steel had been bodged in to keep the axlebox together and to stop the axle chewing into the frames! Undeterred, Tony is having 2 new axleboxes made from a large lump of steel, profile flame cut and then milled to size.

Many other parts will need to be sourced or made from new, including chimney, smokebox, ashpan, pipework, front tubeplate, steam fittings and so on - a lot of work, but the father & son team only took five years with their last project. Visit www.ab2157.org.uk for latest progress and details of their previous project.

Historically 1945 is a Peterborough engine, having worked from new at the Sugar Factory, until being replaced by the newer Hudswell Clark 1800 (Thomas), when it was transferred to Kings Lynn.

I understand the engine never worked at Wansford, but an identical engine did. This was 'Pitsford', which failed by circa 1977, and left the railway in the early 80's for Carnforth - where it was restored. 1945 was stored in the dampness of the Wansford tunnel for years, it had a dull faded green livery - unlined. Then, in 1984 it was pulled out of the tunnel (some volunteers didn't know it was there), the smokebox was patched, and it was painted as an advert for "NVR into city!" in a very bright green livery. It was painted red in the late 80s/ early 90s.

Once restored, the loco could work the 15MPH section to Yarwell on the shuttles with Thomas. It could also work to Peterborough on smaller or slower trains, such as for Civils works. Thanks to Tony, there is the prospect of this engine working alongside Thomas and Tinkerbell (anyone remember the Eurosteam freights thrashing up the Yarwell line with 3 tank engines ? - unforgettable !).

A photo has been found showing the engine as new, in an ornate lined livery, as ‘the central sugar co. no. 1’. It is intended to restore the engine to this condition, but being a Black and white photo, the loco’s colour is not certain. Tony Goulding would like to hear from anyone that has information, or can offer help with parts, or even help with restoration, please contact him on 07974 149 482, or barclaytank2157@hotmail.com.