Firstly, a huge apology to those who turned out on Sunday expecting 56101. While we managed to get word out on some of the forums that 101 would not be out, this website was not updated in time with the bad news. The following report is from Mick Doyle.

For all those out there that had the wasted journey I am sorry. There is an issue with 56101 being water tight and this has worsened since the Thunder-bird run to rescue 20069 after she failed at Wymondham 2 weeks ago. Gareth Broughton was duly informed on the severity of the leak and that it would need to be rectified at the earliest opportunity – this meant that the loco was still under repair and wasn’t officially declared SERVICEABLE.

Gareth started the strip down but with no surprise sheared one of the lower studs that secure the radiator element to the lower water rail, because of the lack of time the job was left to me to see if I could do anything to try to rectify the situation. The answer to that would be NO! I managed to shear another two studs – oh hell! So this means that after a lengthy conversation yesterday with Gareth we agreed that the cooler groups will come out for repair and the voids will be cleaned and painted. To this end 56 101 will be out of service for the foreseeable future.

Once again appologies to those who made a waste journey.

The sheared studs on the bottom water rail of one of 56101’s cooler groups.  Photo: Mick Doyle.