Progress to Date – August 2011.
After its time at Barry Docks 9629 was moved to Carnforth for cosmetic restoration. It was then moved to a short section of track in front of the Marriots Hotel in the centre of Cardiff. In the few years it was there, its condition deteriorated whereupon the Hotel decided to donate the engine to Blaenavon. It was transferred to the Railway early in 1995 on the back of a lorry. Sadly, the locomotive came without a boiler, which had been sold on prior to its restoration for display. It was therefore felt that the first task would be to acquire a boiler that could be used with no. 9629.
This search led, some months after the engine came to Blaenavon, to a boiler being purchased from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, which has an interesting background in itself. It was originally the boiler of a GWR Deans Goods locomotive. When this engine was scrapped the boiler was put aside for use as a stationary boiler. It was repaired for this purpose but then withdrawn and sold on before being put to use. The standardisation of Swindon products (in this case boilers) mean that with some adaption it can be used in 9629.
For the first few years after no. 9629’s arrival in Blaenavon the locomotive was left untouched, whilst many of the missing parts were sourced or manufactured. In time the process of taking the engine apart began and this was completed in 2005, since when we have started to rebuild 9629.
The initial focus of the rebuilding work has been on the frames, as the rear part had rotted and couldn’t be reused. These frame sides were repaired by removing the rotten parts and replacing them, by welding on some new metal. Since then the frames have been shotblasted and painted. New bufferbeams have been attached to the frame and the frames are now awaiting the attachment of the footplate and cab when these have been made.
Particularly welcome will be the impending move to undercover accommodation. Later in 2011 the Locomotive Group will be taking up some space in the newly extended shed at Blaenavon and the restoration can continue safe from the vagaries of the Blaenavon weather.
