Progress update, January 2024
It's 2024, where is the Project and how far has it got to go?
This question is explored below, in the meantime don't miss the opportunity to click this link and help us move towards our goal of completion. We don't have a large sales range but we do like a donation! Thanks.
The photo below was taken in 2021, the other two photos on this update are about a year apart, the last photo therefore is from last year.
Let's not forget where we came from - for those of you who don't know the full story of the project so far I can strongly recommend the book which is available by clicking the link above, buy the 2nd edition - it's up to date. For anyone who already has the book or for those who don't want it here are the headlines:
- 2001, the sole-remaining Napier T9-29 engine removed from a Baby Deltic loco as a spare for D5901 during its work with the RTC, Derby was discovered at the National Railway Museum and subsequently purchased by the Baby Deltic Project (BDP).
- 2007, work begins on returning the engine to an operational condition.
- 2008, the engine runs for the first time in over 30-years.
- 2009, the engine is installed to a test bed loco to enable full testing and commissioning.
- 2010, the project to recreate a Baby Deltic (BR Class 23) loco is launched.
- 2014, the donor loco underframe is cut and shortened, D5910 is formally started.
- 2016, the noses are shortened.
- 2021, the bogies are overhauled and the power unit reinstalled.
- 2022, the underframe tanks are fitted.
- 2023, work starts on fitting the auxiliary parts.
In nine years then, we've moved from a loco which looked like a Class 37 to a loco which is a recreated Class 23.
We're not finished yet, there's plenty to do and much money to spend.
The photo below is from 2022, noticeable changes from 2021 include the installation of the underframe tanks, the completion of the cab sides and the installation of overhauled bogies.
Unseen is the vast amount of work inside and off the loco - nothing stays in bare metal for long and all the surfaces get at least a coat of primer and then undercoat, some of them get topcoat too if we're certain the nothing else will alter. Also unseen is the design work and the administration required to take something from (for example) a sheet of metal into a cabside, or from a sketch to a fabricated bracket to support the underframe tanks.
The final photo is from 2023. The cabsides and the nose end tumblehomes and valances are complete, the bodyside grilles are installed and the correct size buffers are fitted.
Unseen (again), off loco work has included the complete strip, clean and repair of the electrical control cubicle, the strip, clean and repair of the internal bulkheads and superstructure and the electrical and air designs. The main and auxiliary generators have been removed and are waiting overhaul off site.
We all know the question that you want to ask (and some of you will as it anyway) but we're not going to answer it. The loco is being built by people who work in their spare time and spare time is at a premium. If any of us suddenly becomes very rich indeed then we could work full-time on the loco but that's not overly likely. We have discussed a date and we're reasonably confident with our prediction, but, industry and commerce are filled with missed deadlines and we're not about to become another of these.
How can you help?
- Tell us we're doing OK - we may not acknowledge every 'like' or positive comment on Facebook but we do see them all any they don't go unnoticed.
- Buy something or make a donation! See the link above.
- Make a regular donation, contact us for details, or, use the link above.
