Hunslet Newstead: The Lost Engine

We have a mention in the latest edition of Steam Railway about our appeal to find the Lost Work's Plate, with a small summary of the recent work carried out too!
We hope one day this will make an appearance; please do keep watch if you visit auctions, collector fairs and the like - you never know where it may turn up! But please - no scouring monasteries, we think that may be too far fetched...

Calling all over 14s!
This half term - or any weekends / school holidays, if you want to learn engineering, metalworking, or just have an interest in steam engines - simply send us a message!
We are really enjoying seeing people learn new skills - looking forward to seeing their work make an old engine steam again! We would love to see you join our growing young team...
... We work midweeks as well as weekends. Simply message us to find out more, or spread the word if you might know someone who would love this......
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Grateful thanks to South Devon railway - the wheelsets returned today barely 4 weeks since they left. As well as tyre turning, the axle journals have been turned and polished, axles ultrasonic tested for flaws, and wheel centre castings MPI tested for flaws. The work was done with great diligence drawing on much expertise. The wheelsets arrived with tyres coated with waxoyl and journals carefully protected with denso tape. Thank you South Devon.

The Case Of The Missing Plate.
When Newstead was recovered from her hiding place, there was only one work’s plate with her. Photographs from the late Malcolm Saul seem to indicate that there were definitely two on the engine at the start of his ownership, meaning the second may still exist somewhere. Rumours were that it was auctioned some years ago, though we have not been able to authenticate this.
If you happen to own it, know someone who does, or have any leads, we would love to reunite the original with the engine. Please get in touch if have any information.

Almost a year apart. "Newstead" in the Tunbridge Wells West shed with "Ring Haw" on 30/1/2019, and up on accommodation bogies on 25/1/2020. To the untrained eye, it may not look like a lot has changed, other than the wheels having been removed and some paint being applied, but a lot of work has been undertaken that isn't always obvious.
The motion has been disassembled, smokebox door made to seal properly, vacuum brake and steam heat pipework fitted, tubes removed - to list a... few such tasks. With a boiler lift potentially happening soon (when there is a crane on site to lift that of "Lady Ingrid" back into her frames) we're powering on to get things ready for the next major step.
And who knows - maybe one day "Ring Haw" and "Newstead" will be seen side by side again, this time both in steam? Or maybe, with sisters "Beatrice" at Embsay and "Darfield No.1 / Holly Bank No.3" at Chasewater both in latter stages of their own overhauls, we could convince a railway to gather several of these 16 inch Hunslets together - a 'Great Gathering' of its own?
There's still much to do on 1589 before she steams again, and we're always happy to hear from people who want to get involved. From simple tasks, such as painting and drilling, to more complex jobs, such as welding and riveting, you don't have to be an expert engineer to join us!
Here's to an exciting year ahead of 'Team Newstead'.
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Great milestone was made yesterday as all wheelsets have now had their tyres profiled - to MT276 P1 with P9 for the centre drivers (the mainline standard). The SDR experts say the treads have 9mm left above the last turn size, so with another turn possible out of them, these are expected to see many, many more years of use. Grateful thanks to South Devon Railway for their diligence, a highly impressive workshop with no less than 3 wheel lathes, a crankpin quartering machine and a tyre borer. Not to mention the big press and forge for forming boiler plate too!

Industrials were often overlooked by photographers in favour of the big 'named' engines, but thankfully some saw their worth. We found this page with two pictures of No.1589 in 1959, showing just how colliery work dirtied an engine. https://www.steamlocomotive.info/valbum.c fm?display=27893
We don't have many historical images of Newstead in our collection - if you have any yourself or have seen some, please let us know!

Today saw the completion of all the vacuum and steam heat pipework under the running boards. New steps have been water jet cut and holes drilled so they are ready for rivetting. New buffers are waiting for painting and bolting to the engine - could you help? We are really enjoying seeing the engine come together, can't wait to see her running. If you'd like to find out about helping just send us a message....

Slightly ahead of schedule, today the wheels departed for the South Devon Railway.

Last week was a big working week for the Newstead team, with the focus being on things beneath the running board.
Levi and Roger took charge of removing the axleboxes and springs from the axles, and then set about jet washing the wheels ready for these to be sent away, which we anticipate happening at the end of the month. Dave Freeman also joined in the jet washing process. The boxes will now be measured and thoroughly checked; there is some wear on the Journals and it may b...e some new brass slippers have to be machined.
Tom has taken the task of measuring, cutting and fitting the pipework for the steam heat and vacuum brake systems under his wing, and this is substantially complete as far as the entry into the cabs. The rigging for the front sanders has had to be modified slightly to allow the brake pipework to navigate its way round.
Dave Farmer has (amongst other jobs) been working on the front footplate steps; the metal has been cut, angle irons drilled and the first layers of primer applied.
Owen has been round the engine and removed all the buffers; two of these were temporary fittings whilst we sourced more appropriate replacements, which are now in hand meaning we have four authentic Hunslet buffers for the engine. One of these, however, has seized in the casting and so some careful work to free it up will be needed.
Other work has included the overhaul of the reverser lever, and mounting of the ejector body.
At the end of it, a very satisfying and productive week, which all involved are feeling very pleased with. We'll be keeping the momentum going on our upcoming work parties, and as ever, if you want to get involved, we'd be more than happy to welcome you.
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Happy New Year from the Newstead team. Alex, Tom and Owen are in the shed progressing the steam heat and vacuum brake pipe work today. We’ve a working party every day until Sunday, so if you’re looking to blow away the cobwebs after Christmas and New Year, and want to join in and help, we’d be only too glad to hear from you.

School holidays? Looking for something to do? Interested is steam engines or want to try making something? Come see us in our work week, 30th Dec to 5th Jan. We have two aims; 1. Restore Newstead to steam in 2-3 years.... 2. Introduce new people to the joys of steam restoration! Many of our small team are younger generation, working from 14 years old. It's wonderful to see engineering skill being learned - so why not join us for work week, or just pop in for a look around if you're not sure. Simply send us a message....
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Join us for work week! 30th December to 5th January at Tunbridge Wells. We will be working on fitting new pipework, new buffers, and stripping and assessing the Axleboxes, so that we can send the wheels away in January. Just message us if you'd like to help - no experience needed - our aim is to have Newstead running again in 2 - 3 years - a day of your help will bring Newstead to steam one day sooner......

Another busy day yesterday at the Wells West Shed. With the wheels now out, Alex and Dave 1 removed the springs and horn stays from each axle, with the latter component being refitted to the frames by Owen and Dave 2. The axleboxes will now be removed, and wheels cleaned up ahead of being sent away in the new year.
Tom has also been progressing with the vacuum brake pipework, and has trial fitted the front sections, whilst cutting and assembling the rear section.
Other smalle...r jobs have included knocking out several seized spring hanger pins, and removal of bolts for the steam heating pipework brackets. The plan is to have all the brake and heating pipework complete before the boiler is removed, so that when that is complete and ready to return to the frames,we only have to reassemble everything as opposed to eating into the boiler certificate time fabricating everything then.
Some of the team are on site today continuing the work, and long working week planned for December 30 - January 5. As ever, if you'd like to come along and get involved, we'd be only too pleased to hear from you.
Finally, a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our followers. We're grateful for your support and interest in this engine, and always take your comments on board.
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What's the true meaning of Christmas?? Holiday time - and time to make progress on the engine!! So if you've got spare time over Christmas let us know - no experience necessary - and it's good fun! Recently we've been; Stripping the axleboxes and refitting the horn stays to the frames.... Making the vacuum brake pipework Machining of the steam brake piston rod to ensure its round and straight.
We are working this Saturday and Sunday - and a work week from 30th December to 5th January. If you can get to Tunbridge Wells and would like to see Newstead running again soon - please pop along - no experience necessary - we are very happy to give guidance!
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A time lapse of Newstead's lift yesterday. Showing the engine bring lifted clear of her wheels and the accommodation bogies being rolled in.

A milestone achieved! Newstead's wheels were removed yesterday. The axleboxes will be stripped and assessed and the wheelsets sent for assessment. Once again thanks to some great volunteers giving their time up preparing for the lift.